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A discovery by a Mercer research team could have great potential for the aerospace industry in the future. Mechanical engineering professor Dr. Alireza Sarvestani and a team of students have designed a novel polymeric material that can withstand extreme weathering conditions and is capable of self-healing.
Using Polymer with High-durability
Dr. Sarvestani said his experimental studies for this project began two years ago with a grant from an out-of-state laboratory that specializes in the study of thermoplastic polyurethane, which is a rubber-like polymer with high resilience and long durability. He conducted research on site there the past two summers, and the lab continues to support his work.
During the past year, Dr. Sarvestani and his team did extensive testing and data analysis on thermoplastic polymers, which melt at increased temperatures and solidify upon cooling. They reinforced the polymers with various fillers, with the goal of creating unique properties that would improve the material, said Krashin, a rising senior majoring in electrical engineering.
Sample Testing
They prepared numerous samples and then put them to test by stretching, cutting and heating them, Krashin said. They also put some of the samples through an accelerated weathering machine prior to running those tests, Conrad said. A month before the end of the spring semester, they found success when one particular sample demonstrated self-healing and weather-resistant capabilities, Krashin said.
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We prepared a film of the material, and broke it into two parts. We increased the temperature, and at 60 or 70 Celsius, it actually started healing,” Dr. Sarvestani said.
“Now we have a material whose property is almost exactly the same as before melting. By increasing the temperature locally, you can heal all the damage done. The other interesting property is it’s a very resistant material against UV (ultraviolet) radiation.”
The material weakened only slightly after healing and still proved to be quite strong after undergoing the same force tests, Krashin said.
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It was just like magic. It rehealed, and the material was strong, almost just like before. The findings were just amazing,” Krashin said
. “It was a very big discovery.”
Dr. Sarvestani said the material is ideal for coating purposes, especially for aerospace vehicles and watercraft. For instance, pieces of an airplane could potentially be coated in the material to protect it from damage from debris in the air and UV exposure. The material could be used on ships to prevent water corrosion. And if damage or abrasion did occur, the material could be repaired by increasing the temperature.
Source: Mercer University