The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 01, 2020
Filed:
May. 12, 2014
The United States of America As Represented BY the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (US);
Sandi Miller, Northfield, OH (US);
Abstract
A polymer matrix composite includes layers that alternate between a thin carbon fiber veil layer and a thicker base carbon fiber reinforcement layer. Each veil is coated with conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prior to being added as a laminate layer. Epoxy resin fixes CNTs extended into adjacent reinforcement layers, which results in a composite improved in interlaminar strength, fracture toughness, and impact resistance. Thermal and electrical conductivity are also improved due to the conductive CNTs bridging the resin-insulating interlayer region. As the fuzzy fiber veil is not relied on to provide strength or stiffness to the composite structure, any damage to the veil will not affect composite integrity. Also, as the CNT growth is not on a replacement section of reinforcement layer, the composite avoids pitfalls of strength degradation, reinforcing phase continuity disruption, and residual stress introduction.