9401052 Schadler The overall goal of this project is to explore the potential for thermal spray processing to produce unique, polymer nanocomposites that could open up new applications. Specifically, the objectives of this project are to develop the combustion flame spray and high velocity oxy-fuel processes for spraying ceramic nanoparticle/polymer coatings, to explore a variety of polymer matrices and ceramic particulate reinforcements in order to assess a wide variety of potential applications, and to characterize the coating for the appropriate applications. The scientific objectives of this project are to understand the process-structure- property relationships for ceramic/polymer composites formed using thermal spray techniques, to explore the micromechanics of deformation in these nanocomposites in order to understand the mechanisms that lead to improved mechanical properties, and to understand the effect of ceramic surface preparation on the mechanical properties of the composites. Successful completion of this project could lead to a better understanding of ceramic/polymer nanocomposites, which have promising material properties including substantial increase in toughness, reduced permeability of water, and reduced coefficient of thermal expansion. Abrasion resistance, tensile strength, and Young's modulus all seem to improve with the addition of nanosize ceramic particles in the polymer.
