Aerogel composites : an investigation of the effects of temperature degradation and potential modifications

• Main Author: Abirajan, Karthigesan
• Other Authors: Sunil Chandrakant Joshi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2018
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/74848
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Aerogel composites are a relatively new field of composite materials that are beginning to show promise in many areas. They have a myriad of desirable characteristics such as being lightweight, having a low density and extremely efficient thermal capabilities. In this report, thermal degradation and its effects on the mechanical properties of the aerogel are investigated. As aerogels are being investigated for various functions, it is important to consider the mechanical aspect of the material and its change with respect to certain conditions. In this specific case, temperature is investigated to see if it degrades the mechanical quality of the aerogel. Various samples were prepared and exposed to changing temperatures, after which these samples undergo compression testing in order to determine the maximum load which they could withstand. Exposure to heat is extremely common in the field and thus, it was the most logical parameter to be investigated and as most engineering materials and composites withstand large loads, carrying out study on a smaller scale will allow us to understand the behaviour of the material after undergoing the sudden changes, specifically due to temperature in the case of this project. Improving the structure of the aerogel composites was also tried out. This stage of the study was mainly a trial and error process. Various materials were blended and added together with the basic mix of gelatine, sodium dodecyl sulphate and water; the mix was then vacuum dried. The samples were inspected and determined if they were flexible or not using physical means such as manually bending the entire sample. Structural materials such as cotton, air weave breather cloth, flexible white meshes and lastly, high temperature wire meshes were added during the fabrication phase between the layers of the aerogel. The findings and results of the addition of these external materials and their effects on the aerogel composite are detailed in the report.