Applied Nanotech, a leading research and commercialization organization, has made significant advancements in the development of carbon nanotube reinforced vinyl ester resins.
The company has achieved more than 30% enhancement in tensile strength and 40% enhancement in flexural strength. These enhancements have been possible through variations in chemical and mechanical properties, as well as functionalization of carbon nanotubes.
This major achievement will be mainly suitable for application in fiberglass reinforced plastics (FRP). Earlier, many have taken efforts to add carbon nanotubes to produce stronger, lighter and rigid vinyl ester-based materials, but they were unsuccessful due to some technical problems.
The improvements of mechanical characteristics in vinyl ester-bases resin have been extended to FRP composites, ensuring the reduction of composite materials weight and attaining required strength
Vinyl esters possess inherent toughness and excellent chemical and heat resistance features. The materials are expected to replace existing thermosetting resins like unsaturated polyesters in the future. A major application of vinyl ester materials is glass reinforced laminates used in corrosion resistant components and equipment. Vinyl ester corrosion coatings have considerable applications in industrial flooring and steel tank linings. Vinyl esters also have application in other major markets, including sporting goods, marine, grating, chemical, mining, automotive, electrical components and construction.