Scientists from Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have developed a technology to improve the properties of polymer resins for aviation and shipbuilding using modifiers. As a result, the strength of synthetic materials increased by a third, and wear decreased by 5 times. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
Polymer resins are needed to create composite materials. They are used in the manufacture of various parts and structures, including fuselages and bodies, aircraft wings, and wind turbine blades.
Unmodified vinyl and epoxy vinyl ester resins (a type of polymer resin) cannot withstand impact loads and absorb moisture. Over time, products made from them degrade from within. To improve the properties of resins, special additives (modifiers) are used, which change the structure of the synthetic material at the molecular level.
Perm scientists investigated the effect of existing modifiers on the properties of resins. They developed a formulation and mixing technology, and then conducted tests simulating real operating conditions for products made from resins.
We tested the finished samples for various loads: we stretched, bent, and hit them with a pendulum. We also measured how much the part changes in size after hardening, how much water it absorbs, and how quickly it wears out during friction.
Researchers found that with the addition of five modifiers, even inexpensive resins showed a 2-fold increase in impact resistance and a 1.2–1.8-fold decrease in water absorption. This allows for the replacement of more expensive materials in production, for example, for car body parts and pipelines.