A Novel PI/CNT Composite Additive Manufacturing Technology Using Localized Thermal Imidization Reaction

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K14161
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 18020:Manufacturing and production engineering-related
• Research Institution: Akita Prefectural University
• Principal Investigator: FUJII Tatsuya 秋田県立大学, システム科学技術学部, 助教 (10780489)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ポリイミド / カーボンナノチューブ / 複合材料 / 熱イミド化 / 積層造形

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we proposed a fabrication technique for PI/CNT composites with ultra-high concentration and good dispersion by combining PAA-coated CNT powder with homogeneous CNT dispersion inside the particles and local thermal imidization reaction by laser irradiation. The heat-affected zone of the composite expanded rapidly with increasing laser power, independent of the powder loading. FT-IR analysis showed that the imidization ratio was 100% at laser powers above 320 mW. The results of the laminate fabrication showed that delamination was observed at the laminate interface regardless of the number of irradiation times. Further investigation of fabrication conditions is necessary for the thermal imidization reaction to be used for layered fabrication.

Free Research Field

加工学，生産工学，複合材料

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，高耐熱性と高耐宇宙環境性を両立する実用的なPI/CNT複合材の実現に向けて，PI/CNT複合材の低コスト3D積層造形プロセスの確立を目指した．この技術の問題はPIの成形性の低さと樹脂中へのCNTのナノスケール分散が困難なことにある．問題解決のため，粒子内部までCNTが均一分散したPAA被覆CNT粉末とレーザー照射による局所的熱イミド化反応を利用することで，超高濃度かつ良分散状態のPI/CNT複合材の単層造形に成功した．この成果は上記目標達成に貢献し，PI/CNT複合材の新たな造形技術になると期待できる．