Amorphous Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Composites with High-Aspect Ratio Aluminium Nano Platelets

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Previous work showed irregular aluminum (Al) particles in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) improved mechanical properties.
• Investigating novel particle shapes is crucial for optimizing composite performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of nano-platelet aluminum (Al) shape and size on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) composite properties.
• To compare Al nano-platelets with other fillers like graphene, mica, and talc.

Main Methods:

• Utilized nano-platelet aluminum (Al) with high aspect ratios.
• Fabricated Al-PET composites via injection moulding.
• Characterized mechanical properties, including tensile modulus, strength, impact resistance, and flexural modulus.

Main Results:

• Al nano-platelets maintained high aspect ratios during processing due to aluminum's ductility.
• Composites avoided the typical decrease in tensile strength and impact resistance.
• Achieved a significantly high flexural modulus (8 GPa), surpassing other fillers.

Conclusions:

• Nano-platelet Al is a superior filler for PET composites, offering enhanced mechanical properties and high flexural modulus.
• The orientation of Al nano-platelets during molding significantly contributes to improved performance.
• Al-PET composites present a cost-effective and high-performance alternative for conductive material applications.