MSc candidate
Project: Environmental Durability of Vitrimer Composites for Sustainable Aerospace Structures
LinkedIn tony.baltoiu [at] mail.mcgill.ca (Mail)
Supervisor: Prof Pascal Hubert
Carbon fiber-reinforced composite waste is an increasingly pressing issue. Regarding thermoset composites, the main factor inhibiting effective recycling is that crosslinking, which occurs during the curing process, is irreversible. Consequently, matrix resins cannot be chemically dissolved or flow at high temperatures. Vitrimers are a novel material class sharing properties with both thermosets and thermoplastics, and have been developed in fiber-reinforced composite systems to enhance reprocessability and address sustainability concerns. However, current challenges with the viability of vitrimer composites include the need for further research in understanding their fundamental material properties and behaviour, especially in critical conditions relevant to the aerospace industry. Therefore, characterizing their durability is a necessary step in bridging the gap to feasible industrial applications of vitrimer composites.
This research project aims to investigate the susceptibility of carbon fiber-reinforced vitrimer composites to property degradation under environmental and thermomechanical conditions (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Schematic of Moisture Absorption and Environmental Degradation in Composites
This research will employ methods and approaches to collect and analyze data such as moisture absorption, shear and tensile testing, and modeling for moisture diffusion. The study will focus on the effects of temperature and humidity on mechanical behaviour (Figure 2).
Figure 2. Composite Material Performance Envelope in Environmental Conditions
The project is expected to yield insights into the performance of vitrimer composites in critical service conditions, contributing to further understanding of their intrinsic material properties and potential future use in the aerospace industry.