Title: Nanocomposites for automotive: enhanced graphene-based polymer materials and multi-scale approach

Authors: Ahmed Elmarakbi; Sherif El-Safty; Brunetto Martorana; Wiyao Azoti

Addresses: Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology, University of Sunderland, Edinburgh Building, Chester Road, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK ' National Institute for Materials Sciences (NIMS), 1-2-1 Sengen, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken 305-0047, Japan; Graduate School for Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan ' Lightweight and Green Polymers, Centro Ricerche Fiat S.C.P.A, Orbassano, Italy ' Department of Computing, Engineering and Technology, University of Sunderland, Edinburgh Building, Chester Road, Sunderland SR1 3SD, UK

Abstract: The present initiative provides a summary and overview on graphene related materials (GRM) for automotive applications and investigates efficient methods to integrate graphene as polymer reinforcements within composite materials for energy-efficient and safe vehicles (EESVs). An approach that starts from the nanoscale through the graphene elaboration by experiments to meso/macro-scale by continuum mechanics modelling is discussed with respect to some limiting factors in terms of the large scale production, the interfacial behaviour, the amount of wrinkling and network structure. Finally, a strategy for modelling such a composite is elaborated in the framework of the Graphene Flagship to well understand such limitations for a full applicability of graphene. It is anticipated that this initiative will advance innovative lightweight graphene composites and their related modelling, designing, manufacturing, and joining capabilities suitable for automotive industry which requires unique levels of affordability, mechanical performance, green environmental impact and energy efficiency. This leads to complete understanding of the new graphene composites and their applicability in high-volume production scenarios.

Keywords: automotive composites; composite modelling; composite design; energy efficiency; vehicle safety; graphene composites; nanocomposites; nanotechnology; polymer materials; multi-scale approach; continuum mechanics; interfacial behaviour; wrinkling; network structure; high-volume production.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAUTOC.2016.082043

International Journal of Automotive Composites, 2016 Vol.2 No.2, pp.155 - 166

Received: 24 Jul 2015
Accepted: 04 Oct 2015
Published online: 06 Feb 2017 *

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