Thermal expansivity of polymer nanocomposites and applications

ABSTRACT

Nowadays, the quest for fabricating polymeric nanocomposites with enhanced thermomechanical properties has tremendously escalated as a result of their multifunctional applications in advanced engineering areas sensitive to thermal expansion. Thermal expansion and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of polymers as well as polymeric nanocomposites are critical properties due to the relatively elevated CTE of polymeric matrices in comparison with other materials. Polymer matrices are embedded with low-CTE or negative-CTE fillers in order to minimize the CTE mismatch which occurs in components where polymeric matrices are used in synergy with other materials. This facilitates their usage as system adhesives, electronical flip-clip underfills, metallic component replacement, coatings, electronic packaging, and so on. Thermal Mechanical Analysis (TMA) is a technique used in measuring thermal expansivity and contractivity of polymeric nanocomposites. Therefore, this paper presents in depth insight into thermal expansivity and coefficient of thermal expansivity of polymeric nanocomposites (PNC) and applications.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Applications
• coefficient of thermal expansivity
• polymer nanocomposites
• thermal expansivity
• thermal mechanical analysis

Acknowledgments

Engr. Dr. Christopher Igwe Idumah, of the Department of Polymer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria is acknowledged for persisting in scholarly activities despite no funding along with other prevailing challenges.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

No funding is reported.

Notes on contributors

Christopher Igwe Idumah

Engr. Dr. Christopher Igwe Idumah is a Lecturer with the Department of Polymer Engineering, UNIZIK, Awka, Nigeria. He holds a first class Ph.D. from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in Polymer Engineering and award of best Ph.D. in Polymer Engineering at the 57th convocation of UTM. He holds a M.Eng. from Manchester University, England United Kingdom, a Diploma from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, a B.Eng. from FUTO and is presently amongst World Top 2 % Scientists (2020, 2021, 2022) according to Stanford University, USA.