Investigation of Polymeric Composites with High Aspect Ratio Nanoparticulates for Coatings
Abstract
To overcome some of the challenges associated with existing pipeline coatings, the use of polymeric nanocomposites as coating materials are proposed in this research. By employing novel inclusions such as hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanoplatelets, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), and zinc particulates within a conventional polymer coating, high-performance polymeric nanocomposites can be created for the purposes of pipeline protection. The excellent performances of the proposed polymer-based composites are due to unique mechanical, electrical, thermal, and anti-corrosive properties of the additives. The addition of 2D nanoplatelets such as hBN and GNP to the pure polymers may result in the fabrication of nanocomposites with lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), high gas barrier, high mechanical stability, and anti-corrosive performances. Application of CNTs and zinc particles as hybrid compositions can also improve corrosion protection of the composite coatings due to the synergistic effects of zinc particles as sacrificial material and CNTs as connectors of an electrically conductive network.
This research is aimed at investigating the feasibility of using these nanocomposites as coating materials. Initially, the effects of dispersion and geometry of CNTs on the final properties of nanocomposites were examined. Then, two random walk models were developed to study the effects of the addition of inclusions on the electrical and thermal conductivities of nanocomposites. Finally, the selected nanoparticulates were added to polymers, and the coating capabilities of composites were evaluated. From the tests and investigations conducted on the developed composite coatings, it was observed that thermal expansion, gas barrier, mechanical strength, adhesion, and corrosion protection performances were improved compared to the pure polymeric coatings. The corroded area on the cathodic disbondment test specimens reduced down up to 90% for the composite with zinc (20 wt.%), MWCNTs (2 wt.%), and GNPs (2 wt.%), compared to a specimen coated with a pure polymer. It is seen that the presence of nanoparticulates decreased gas penetration and thermal expansion of the matrix by 75% and 65%, respectively.
Description
Keywords
Engineering--Mechanical
Citation
TabkhPaz Sarabi, M. (2016). Investigation of Polymeric Composites with High Aspect Ratio Nanoparticulates for Coatings (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26658