Abstract:
Thermoplastic-based multi-material composites offer a sophisticated integration of metal and short fiber reinforced (SFP) or continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer matrices (CFRTP), providing remarkable specific strength, fatigue resistance, and stiffness. Their extensive applications across defense, aerospace, marine, and automotive industries stem from their ability to harness the superior properties of both metal and polymer composites. Achieving optimal performance in these hybrid composite systems relies heavily on the critical role of interfaces, including the fiber-matrix interface, interlaminar interface, and metal thermoplastic composite interface (MTCI). Additionally, manufacturing these multi-material composites requires meticulous process optimization, particularly in resin infusion and compression molding, to tackle challenges such as combining materials with varying stiffness, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatches, and residual stresses at interfaces. Various strategies have been developed to enhance the interfacial properties of thermoplastic-based multi-material composites. These strategies involve modifying the fiber-matrix and interlaminar interfaces through the incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) into polydopamine (PDA) coatings, as well as tuning the metal surface through a sequential process involving mechanical and chemical etching to facilitate both mechanical and chemical interlocking of the polymer.
This presentation will delve into recent findings regarding the processing-structure-property relationships of thermoplastic-based composites represented by metal and short fiber reinforced polymer (SFP) or continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer matrices (CFRTP). Specifically, experimental results revealed a significant enhancement of various interfaces of multi-material composites, including the fiber-matrix and interlaminar interface by 42.5%, and the metal thermoplastic composite interface by 916%, compared to a common composite systems. Overall, understanding processing-structure-property relationships of composite materials, fiber-matrix interface, metal-composite interface, and emerging composite materials is an important element in the education of next generation engineers and scientist.
Bio:
Dr Shanmugam Logesh is currently a Research Scientist in ASTAR, Singapore. Prior to joining ASTAR, he was Lead engineer in materials and manufacturing department in Johnson electric Manufactory limited in Hong Kong and a Post-doctoral Research Associate at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. He received PGS scholarship for his PhD and , and he received a POC grant during his post-PhD to translate the research findings to develop an industrial prototype. His research interests include multifunctional polymer composite materials; Metal/fiber-reinforced plastic (Metal-FRP) composites and interfaces; Two-dimensional materials enabled novel structures; Mechanics; and Technology transfer. He has actively contributed to number of research grants supported from both public funding agencies and industries. He has done significant research and innovation work in his areas and published more than 18 refereed papers (with citation of 825+ and H-index of 15) in the high impact journals and filed a few patents. He also acts as a peer reviewer for several high impact journals.
