Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA
Date of Award
12-2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
Dr. Karen Lozano
Second Advisor
Dr. Magdalena Chipara
Third Advisor
Dr. Dorina Mihut
Abstract
Isotactic Polypropylene (IPP) is a commonly known thermoplastic that has unique properties include being light weight, high performance, impact strength, tensile strength, elongation, and high temperature properties. The use of vapor grown carbon nanofiber (VGCNF) reinforcements on polypropylene has shown to produce high specific modulus, strength, electrical and thermal properties on specimens. Thermogravimetric (TGA) investigations on the thermal degradation of isotactic polypropylene – vapor grown carbon nanofibers composites in nitrogen were reported. The mass evolution as a function of temperature is a single sigmoid for both polypropylene and polypropylene loaded with VGCNF. The inflection temperature of these sigmoids increases as the concentration of VGCNF is increased. The width of the degradation process narrows as the concentration of VGCNF is increased due to a better homogenization of the local temperature provided by the high thermal conductivity of carbon nanofibers. TGA analysis data indicates the formation of polymer – VGCNF interface.
Granting Institution
University of Texas-Pan American
Comments
Copyright 2013 Anna Alicia Hernandez. All Rights Reserved.
https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/thermal-analysis-carbon-nanofiber-reinforced/docview/1502845717/se-2