Polymer matrix composites

Composite materials are a group of innovative structural or functional materials widely utilized in many industries, e.g., aviation, automotive, public transportation, machine building, as well as sport goods.

Their most significant advantage is high mechanical strength accompanied with low density. Due to implementation of appropriately selected constituents, the composites can exhibit enhanced electric conductivity, thermal diffusivity, etc.

The research group has experience in the fabrication and testing of polymer matrix composites and nanocomposites. In the area of our interest are fiber reinforced polymer matrix composites, in particular with carbon fibres, polymer nanocomposites doped with carbon nanotubes, graphene, ceramic nanoparticles, as well as self-healing materials and intelligent materials driven by magnetic or electric field. We also conduct investigations on modification of polymeric coatings and tailoring their surfaces in order to give them superhydro- or ice-phobic properties. The aim of our activity is also to improve electrical and thermal conductivity of fiber reinforced composites. The next area of our research are ceramic-polymer composites with 3D connectivity of phases which exhibit increased ability to absorb impact energy. Our experience was gained by participating in many national and international projects. We collaborate with many national and foreign institutes as well as the industry. The group also does expert opinions and studies commissioned by the industry.

 

Research activities

  • Magnetorheological elastomers
  • Thermoplastics, elastomers, fibers and veils with enhanced electrical conductivity
  • Recycling of polymeric materials
  • Thermosets with increased electrical and thermal conductivity
  • Ceramic-polymer composites with 3D connectivity of phases
  • Metallization of carbon fibers and carbon nanotubes
  • Self-healing polymer matrix composites
  • Coatings with superhydro- and ice-phobic properties
  • Surface modification using laser techniques
     

Research offer

  • Fabrication and characterization of composite materials
  • Analysis the causes of polymers and composites failures – expert opinions
  • Rheological tests as a function of temperature and magnetic field strength
  • Thermal analysis DSC, TGA
  • Thermo-mechanical analysis DMA
  • Electrical conductivity tests
  • Microscopic observations
  • Samples preparation, ultramicrotomy
  • Composite degradation tests
  • Density measurements
  • Impact strength tests
  • Hardness measurements
  • Wettability and icing tests
  • Viscosity and flow index analysis
  • Coating thickness measurements
  • Spectroscopic analysis FTIR
  • Corrosion tests in a salt spray chamber
  • Aging tests in climatic chamber
     

Research infrastructure

Equipment for the polymer composites manufacturing

  • Injection molding machine HAAKE 8482 MiniJet Pro
  • Twin screw extruder HAAKE MiniLab II,
  • Three roll mill EXAKT 80E heated to 60° C,
  • Thermo-press up to 220° C,
  • Magnetic field generator up to 0.5T,
  • Vacuum dryers up to 200° C,
  • Single and two-stage vacuum pumps,
  • Ultrasonic washers and guns,
  • Mechanical and magnetic stirrers,
  • Spin coater SPIN150i,
  • Industrial air spray gun for polymer coatings deposition,

Equipment for characterization of microstructure and properties of polymer composites

  • Polarization and interference microscope BIOLAR PI,
  • Scanning electron microscope HITACHI TM3000 with EDS attachment
  • Rheometer ARES TA Instruments,
  • Viscometer with thermostat Brookfield DV-II + PRO,
  • Keithley Device 6221 / 2182A (Nanovoltometer/Current source)
  • Salt chamber for corrosion tests ANTICORR AN VF 7705,
  • Charpy impact hammer with notch cutter Resil 5.5 CEAST,
  • Ultramicrotome with low-temperature chamber and a set of diamond knives Leica EM UC6,
  • Dynamic-mechanical thermal analyzer DMA Q800 TA Instruments
  • Thermo-gravimetric analyzer TGA Q500 TA Instruments
  • Differential scanning calorimeter DSC Q1000 TA Instruments
  • FTIR ATR spectrometer Thermo Scientific Nicolet 6700
  • Contact roughness tester Mitutoyo Surftest SJ-310
  • Binder climatic chamber with UV lamps
     

Projects

Research collaboration

National collaboration

  • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin
  • Technology Partners Foundation, Warsaw
  • Air Force Institute of Technology, Warsaw
  • Institute of Aviation, Warsaw
  • Foundry Research Institute, Krakow
  • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Military University of Technology, Warsaw
  • Faculty of Materials Engineering and Metallurgy, Silesian University of Technology, Katowice
  • Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Wrocław University of Science and Technology, Wroclaw
  • Space Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
  • Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery, Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdansk
  • Institute of Fundamental Technological Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw
  • Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow
  • Faculty of Metals Engineering and Industrial Computer Science, AGH University of Science and Technology, Krakow
  • PZL Mielec
  • Delta Rafał Mikke, Warsaw
  • ROMA Sp. z.o.o., Grabowiec close to Torun
  • NICROMETAL, Torun
  • TMBK PARTNERS Sp. z.o.o., Warsaw
  • S.Z.T.K. "TAPS" - Maciej Kowalski, Lodz
  • KONSBERG, Warsaw
  • Rotomoulding Partner Sp. z o.o., Lukow
  • Linetech S.A., Warsaw
  • New Era Materials, Krakow

International collaboration

  • Institut für Leichtbau und Kunststofftechnik, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
  • Tecnalia Research & Innovation Centre, Spain
  • Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland
  • Patras University, Greece
  • INTA Institute of Aviation, Spain
  • CSIC University Sevilla, Spain
  • Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
  • Montreal University of Technology, Canada
  • MANA, NIMS, Japan
  • NANOCYL, Belgium
  • Adamant Composites Ltd, Greece
  • Sikorsky Company (Lockheed Martin Corporation), USA
  • Pratt and Whitney, Canada
  • Plasmionique, Canada
  • DEMA Aeronautics, Italy
  • Airbus Innovation Group, Germany
     

Contact

Professor Anna Boczkowska
anna.boczkowska@pw.edu.pl
+48 22 234 77 62
Division of Ceramic Materials and Polymers