Printed single-wall carbon nanotube-based Joule heating devices integrated as functional laminae in advanced composites
ACS applied materials & interfaces, 2021•ACS Publications
This work reports the design and fabrication of novel printed single-wall carbon nanotube
(SWCNT) electrothermal Joule heating devices. The devices are directly deposited on
unidirectional (UD) glass fiber (GF) fabrics. The GF-SWCNT Joule heaters were integrated
during manufacturing as “system” plies in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite
laminates. Specific secondary functions were imparted on the composite laminate endowing
thus a multifunctional character. The efficient out-of-oven curing (OOC) of a CFRP laminate …
(SWCNT) electrothermal Joule heating devices. The devices are directly deposited on
unidirectional (UD) glass fiber (GF) fabrics. The GF-SWCNT Joule heaters were integrated
during manufacturing as “system” plies in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite
laminates. Specific secondary functions were imparted on the composite laminate endowing
thus a multifunctional character. The efficient out-of-oven curing (OOC) of a CFRP laminate …
This work reports the design and fabrication of novel printed single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) electrothermal Joule heating devices. The devices are directly deposited on unidirectional (UD) glass fiber (GF) fabrics. The GF-SWCNT Joule heaters were integrated during manufacturing as “system” plies in carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite laminates. Specific secondary functions were imparted on the composite laminate endowing thus a multifunctional character. The efficient out-of-oven curing (OOC) of a CFRP laminate was demonstrated using a sandwich configuration comprising top/bottom GF-SWCNT system plies. A total power consumption of ca. 10.5 kWh for the efficient polymerization of the thermoset matrix was required. Infrared thermography (IR-T) monitoring showed a uniform and stable temperature field before and after impregnation with epoxy resin. Quasi-static three-point bending and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) revealed a minor knock-down effect of the OOC–CFRP laminates properties compared to oven cured CFRPs, whereas the glass transition temperature (Tg) was almost identical. The OOC–CFRP laminates were efficient in providing additional functions such as deicing and self-sensing that are highly sought in the energy and transport sectors, i.e., wind turbine blades or aircraft wings. The novel modular design provides unique opportunities for large-area applications via multiple interconnected arrays of printed devices.
ACS Publications