Thermal Ablation and Laser Shielding Characteristics of Ionic liquid-microseeded Functionalized Nanoclay/Resorcinol Formaldehyde Nanocomposites for Armor Protection

Abstract

Thermal ablation performance, thermal stability, and laser shielding characteristics of tailored nanoclay-resorcinol formaldehyde nanocomposites have been investigated. RF resin was modified with ionic liquid and a range of weight loadings of functionalized nanoclay through a facile in situ polymerization technique. Thermal ablation testing of the modified resin shows lower back-face temperature profiles and distinct reduction in linear and mass ablation rates, while thermogravimetric analysis results show enhanced thermal stability. Significant increase in the laser ablation energy and increased d-spacing of the surface modified nanoclay in resorcinol formaldehyde nanocomposite connote favorable polymer intercalation/exfoliation within the silicate layers. © 2017 Taylor & Francis.