INDIAN NANOELECTRONICS USER PROGRAM

CENTRE FOR NANOSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012
Tel: 080-23603281 Email: inup@cense.iisc.ernet.in

Research Plan Submission

Title of research project (PhD Topic): Development and Characterization of Nano

Particulate Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites

A) Objectives of your proposed work:

1. Develop a nano particulate reinforced polymer matrix composite targeting for biomedical/ structural
applications
2. Characterize the material for microstructural, metallurgical, mechanical and thermal behavior.
3. Biomechanical studies (compression strength, micro hardness, damping behavior) – to maximize the life
span of implant.
4. Detailed investigation on the influence of material characteristics on wear, corrosion and machinability
behavior of the composite.

B) The significance of your research:

The present scenario in the field of materials research is directed towards lightweight materials having solitary
properties such as high specific strength, high stiffness etc. Magnesium is the densest metal - 35% denser than
Aluminium, is useful for biomedical and structural applications. By adding suitable reinforcement to Poly
lactic acid material, remarkable properties such as high specific strength, high stiffness, low thermal
coefficient of expansion, high wear resistance and high damping capacity can be achieved. Tailor-made
properties for this type of light weight composites can be obtained by controlling the quantity of matrix
material, reinforcement material and processing conditions, etc.

The availability of wide variety of reinforcement materials and development of new processing methods
provides the opportunity to develop new materials suitable for required application. Hence it is planned to
make an attempt to develop and characterize light weight composites like polymer matrix composites targeting
for biomedical and structural applications.

1 Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc Bangalore, KA-
12, Ph-080-23603281
 INDIAN NANOELECTRONICS USER PROGRAM
CENTRE FOR NANOSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012
Tel: 080-23603281 Email: inup@cense.iisc.ernet.in

C) Preliminary research work by yourself/supervisor:

Many researchers have reported their work on metal matrix composites with matrix materials including
aluminium, copper, magnesium etc. and reinforcement materials such as ceramics particulates or fibres, CNT
etc. Most of the research work reported so far in India in this area, the composites were fabricated by liquid
metallurgy process and somewhere powder metallurgy route without secondary processing. Very few attempts
have been made till date in fabrication of metal matrix composite through powder metallurgy processing
followed by heat treatment and secondary processing like extrusion, rolling etc. Similarly, on the other hand
enough significant research have been done in wear performance and machinability behavior of aluminium,
polymer and titanium metal matrix composite at room temperature, but regarding characterization at
appreciable high temperature, very few contributions only reported till now. This proposal will be the right
time contribution in this area for further clarifications and proofs of concepts for new entries in the research
forum.

D) Material selected for research work (Modeling/Experimental)

Material type Polymer matrix composite
Base material PLA pellets (Size: 2 µmm)
Reinforcement Pure TiC nano powder (Size: ~21 nm and Purity >99.5%)
Sample Material Pure PLA , PLA+TiC (1%, 2.5% & 5% weight of TiC)
Sample Size, mm 50 X 50
Fabrication Twin screw Extrusion

E) Research methodology and time table.

In first part of the research work, the polymer matrix composite specimens were fabricated using twin screw
extrusion process. The specimens will be cleaned and weighed. Fabrication, microstructural and mechanical
behavior will be studied with the equipment’s available in our institute.

2 Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc Bangalore, KA-
12, Ph-080-23603281
 INDIAN NANOELECTRONICS USER PROGRAM
CENTRE FOR NANOSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012
Tel: 080-23603281 Email: inup@cense.iisc.ernet.in

In the second part, characterization studies of polymer matrix composites after the fabrication,
characterization studies after cytotoxity test are required for best performance The detailed step by step
methodology of the research work is illustrated in the following flow chart.

Time Table for Research activities

Duration Travel Characterization / Test

Characterization after fabrication
1st week Parent Institute to IISc
(SEM+EdX, µ UTM, STA & FTIR, HR XRD)
Return- IISc to Parent
6-8 week Mechanical studies
Institute
Characterization after Mechanical test
10th week Parent Institute to IISc
(SEM+EdX, HR XRD, AFM/ Optical Profilometer)
Return- IISc to Parent
14-16 week Microstructural and fracture behaviour (SEM, Micro CT)
Institute
Characterization after Mechanical test
18 th week Parent Institute to IISc
(SEM+EdX, HR XRD, AFM/Optical Profilometer)

3 Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc Bangalore, KA-
12, Ph-080-23603281
 INDIAN NANOELECTRONICS USER PROGRAM
CENTRE FOR NANOSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012
Tel: 080-23603281 Email: inup@cense.iisc.ernet.in
Return- IISc to Parent
20-22 week Mechanical studies
Institute
Characterization after Mechanical test
25th week Parent Institute to IISc
(SEM+EdX, HR XRD, AFM/Optical Profilometer)

G) Facilities and instrumentation.

(i) At Parent Institute:
Twin screw extrusion process Optical Microscope
Microwave furnace (ii) At CeNSE:
FESEM+EDS
Universal Testing M/c
AFM / Profilometer
Vickers Micro Hardness
µ UTM
Planetary Ball Mill HR XRD
µCT

H) Expected outcomes:
A tailor made material targeting for bio implants and structural applications with a remarkable microstructural
and mechanical behaviour under normal temperatures.

4 Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc Bangalore, KA-
12, Ph-080-23603281
 INDIAN NANOELECTRONICS USER PROGRAM
CENTRE FOR NANOSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012
Tel: 080-23603281 Email: inup@cense.iisc.ernet.in

I) Project Estimation

J) Bibliography:
[1] G. K. Meenashisundaram, M. H. Nai, A. Almajid, and M. Gupta, “Development of high performance Mg-
TiO2 nanocomposites targeting for biomedical/structural applications,” Materials and Design, vol. 65, pp.
104–114, 2015.
[2] G. Meenashisundaram, M. Nai, and M. Gupta, “Effects of Primary Processing Techniques and
Significance of Hall-Petch Strengthening on the Mechanical Response of Magnesium Matrix Composites
Containing TiO2 Nanoparticulates,” Nanomaterials, vol. 5, no. 3, pp. 1256–1283, 2015.
[3] M. Gupta and W. L. E. Wong, “Magnesium-based nanocomposites: Lightweight materials of the future,”
Materials Characterization, vol. 105, pp. 30–46, 2015.

5 Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc Bangalore, KA-
12, Ph-080-23603281
 INDIAN NANOELECTRONICS USER PROGRAM
CENTRE FOR NANOSCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore-560012
[4] G. K. Meenashisundaram, M. H.Tel:
Nai, A. Almajid,
080-23603281 K.inup@cense.iisc.ernet.in
Email: A. Khalil, H. S. Abdo, and M. Gupta, “Effects of
TiO2powder morphology on the mechanical response of pure magnesium: 1D nanofibers versus 0D
nanoparticulates,” Journal of Alloys and Compounds, vol. 664, pp. 45–58, 2016.
[5] M. Srinivasan, C. Loganathan, M. Kamaraj, Q. B. Nguyen, M. Gupta, and R. Narayanasamy, “Sliding
wear behaviour of AZ31B magnesium alloy and nano-composite,” Transactions of Nonferrous Metals Society
of China (English Edition), vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 60–65, 2012

6 Indian Nanoelectronics Users Program, Centre for Nano Science and Engineering, IISc Bangalore, KA-
12, Ph-080-23603281