Overview of TPU composite milk silk fabric Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite milk silk fabric is an innovative functional material that has emerged in the modern industrial field with its ...

Overview of TPU composite milk silk fabric

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) composite milk silk fabric is an innovative functional material that has emerged in the modern industrial field with its unique physical properties and excellent comprehensive characteristics. This fabric is prepared from thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers and regenerated protein fibers (milk silk) through advanced composite technology, combining the excellent mechanical properties of TPU and the unique biocompatibility of milk silk. As a type of material with high wear resistance, high elasticity and good chemical resistance, TPU is widely used in the field of high-performance materials; while milk silk is prepared in the textile field due to its natural source, good breathability and skin-friendly nature. Favorite.

In the field of aerospace, lightweight and high strength are the core considerations for material selection. Although traditional metal materials have high strength, their density is high, which limits their application in aircraft design. TPU composite milk silk fabrics are ideal for replacing traditional materials with their low density (approximately 1.2 g/cm³), high strength (tensile strength up to 40-60 MPa) and excellent toughness. In addition, the material also exhibits good UV resistance and weather resistance, and can adapt to extreme temperature changes and radiation conditions in aerospace environment.

With the increasing global demand for sustainable development and environmentally friendly materials, the emergence of TPU composite milk silk fabrics not only meets the high-performance requirements in the aerospace field, but also conforms to the concept of green manufacturing. The recyclability and biodegradability of this material enables it to achieve effective utilization of resources after the end of its life cycle, reducing environmental burden. Therefore, in-depth research and development of TPU composite milk silk fabrics in the aerospace field is of great significance to promoting industry technological progress and achieving sustainable development goals.

Analysis of technical parameters of TPU composite milk silk fabric

The core technical parameters of TPU composite milk silk fabrics cover multiple dimensions such as mechanical properties, physical characteristics and functional indicators. According to the ASTM D638 standard test method, the material has a tensile strength range of 45-65 MPa, and the elongation rate of break can reach 500%-700%, showing excellent elasticity and toughness. The tear strength is based on the ISO 34-1 test results, with an average value of 100-120 kN/m, showing good tear resistance. In terms of hardness, Shore A is about 85-95 degrees, ensuring that the material has sufficient flexibility and the necessary stiffness.

From the physical characteristics, the density of TPU composite milk silk fabric is 1.18-1.22 g/cm³, which is significantly lower than that of traditional metal materials, which is crucial to reducing the weight of aerospace vehicles. Its thickness is usually controlled between 0.2-0.5 mm, and the specific value can be adjusted according to application requirements. The material’s light transmittance is 85%-90%, and it also has good thermal insulation properties, with a thermal conductivity of only 0.2 W/(m·K). surface1Summary of main physical parameters:

parameter name	Unit	Test Method	Reference value range
Tension Strength	MPa	ASTM D638	45-65
Elongation of Break	%	ASTM D638	500-700
Tear Strength	kN/m	ISO 34-1	100-120
Shore Hardness	A	ASTM D2240	85-95
Density	g/cm³	ASTM D792	1.18-1.22
Thickness	mm	ASTM D751	0.2-0.5
Sparseness	%	ASTM D1003	85-90
Thermal conductivity	W/(m·K)	ASTM C177	0.2

In terms of functional indicators, TPU composite milk silk fabrics show excellent chemical resistance and can resist the erosion of most organic solvents and acid-base solutions. Its UV resistance performance has been verified by UV-B irradiation experiments, with an aging life of more than 3,000 hours and a retention rate of more than 85%. The flame retardant properties of the material reach UL94 V-0 level, and no toxic gases are produced during combustion. In addition, this material also has good antibacterial properties, with a bacterial antibacterial rate of more than 99%, which is particularly important in aerospace environment.

It is worth noting that these parameters are not fixed, but can be optimized by adjusting the ratio of TPU to milk silk, modification processing method and other process parameters. For example, increasing the TPU content can improve the wear resistance and mechanical strength of the material, while increasing the proportion of milk wire can enhance the comfort and biocompatibility of the material. This adjustability makesDeTPU composite milk silk fabric can better adapt to the specific needs of different application scenarios.

Special requirements for materials in the aerospace field

The aerospace field has extremely strict requirements for the selection of materials, which are mainly reflected in lightweight, high strength, high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and electromagnetic compatibility. According to the material specifications issued by NASA (NASA), the specific strength (strength/density) of aerospace structural materials must reach or exceed 150 MPa·cm³/g to ensure maximum mitigation while providing sufficient load-bearing capacity. weight. Research shows that every kilogram of structural weight reduction can reduce the cost of satellite launch by about $20,000, an economic effect highlights the importance of lightweight.

In terms of high strength, aerospace materials need to withstand constant stresses up to 100 MPa without permanent deformation and can withstand impact loads of 200-300 MPa in a short period of time. At the same time, since aerospace vehicles often face extreme temperature differences between -150°C and +150°C, the materials must have excellent thermal stability. Experimental data show that traditional aluminum alloys will become more brittle under low temperature conditions, while TPU composite milk silk fabrics can still maintain stable mechanical properties within the same temperature range.

Corrosion resistance is also one of the key considerations. There is strong atomic oxygen erosion and high-energy particle radiation in the cosmic environment outside the atmosphere, which requires that the material must have excellent oxidation resistance and radiation resistance. In addition, aerospace materials must meet strict electromagnetic shielding requirements, and their surface resistivity should be less than 10^6 Ω/sq to prevent static accumulation and electromagnetic interference. Based on these special requirements, TPU composite milk silk fabrics show good comprehensive performance through molecular structure design and surface modification treatment, and can effectively deal with complex working conditions in the aerospace field.

Application cases of TPU composite milk silk fabric in aerospace field

The practical application of TPU composite milk silk fabrics in the aerospace field has made significant progress, especially in key areas such as aircraft interiors, satellite radomes and spacesuit protective layers. Boeing has applied TPU composite milk silk material to the seat cushions and armrest surfaces in its new generation of commercial airliner B787 Dreamliner project for the first time. Data shows that with the material, each seat assembly has reduced weight by about 20%, while its durability has increased by 30%. According to the magazine Composites Manufacturing, the use of this material allows the entire fleet to save about $150 million in fuel costs per year.

In the field of satellite manufacturing, the European Space Agency (ESA) has successfully used TPU composite milk silk fabric for the radome manufacturing of new communication satellites. The material exhibits excellent electromagnetic transparency and UV resistance, and is able to run in orbit for more than 15 years without performance degradation. according to”According to a research report by Journal of Aerospace Engineering, compared with traditional PTFE materials, the signal transmission loss of TPU composite milk wire radome is reduced by about 15%, and the weight is reduced by 40%.

The application of spacesuit protective layer is also eye-catching. When developing the next-generation EVA (outer cabin activity) space suit, NASA used specially modified TPU composite milk silk fabric as the outer protective material. Experimental results show that the material can effectively resist micrometeor impacts, and its penetration resistance meets the requirements of NASA STD-3001 standard, while maintaining good flexibility and comfort. Research published in the journal Advanced Materials & Processes shows that the material has a service life of more than 500 mission cycles in simulated space environments.

These practical application cases fully demonstrate the technical advantages and broad prospects of TPU composite milk silk fabrics in the aerospace field. By continuously optimizing the material formulation and processing technology, the material is expected to assume more key roles in the future and promote the further development of aerospace technology.

Comparison of performance of TPU composite milk silk fabrics with other materials

In order to more intuitively demonstrate the performance advantages of TPU composite milk silk fabrics, we conduct detailed comparison and analysis with traditional aerospace materials such as aluminum alloy, carbon fiber composite materials and aramid fibers. Table 2 summarizes the key performance indicators of four materials:

Material Type	Density (g/cm³)	Tension Strength (MPa)	Modulus of elasticity (GPa)	Coefficient of thermal expansion (×10^-6/°C)	Cost Index (relative value)
Aluminum alloy	2.7	300	70	23	1.5
Carbon fiber composite	1.5	2000	150	0.5	3.0
Aramid fiber	1.4	3600	130	1.5	2.5
TPU composite milk silk	1.2	60	0.5	8	1.2

It can be seen from the data that although TPU composite milk silk fabrics are not as strong as carbon fiber and aramid fiber in terms of tensile strength and elastic modulus, their significant lightweight advantages (low density) and lower cost index make them More attractive in some application scenarios. Especially in non-load-bearing structural parts, the advantages of TPU composite milk silk material are particularly obvious. According to a research report from Materials Science and Engineering, when considering the full life cycle cost, the total cost of ownership of TPU composite milk silk material is about 30% lower than that of traditional materials.

In terms of durability, TPU composite milk silk material exhibits unique self-healing characteristics. By introducing a dynamic covalent bond network structure, the material can achieve a certain degree of self-repair after minor damage and extend its service life. In contrast, once fatigue damage occurs in traditional metal materials, the entire component often needs to be replaced. A study by Journal of Applied Polymer Science shows that after 1,000 cycles of loading, the performance retention rate of TPU composite milk silk material can reach 90%, while the aluminum alloy is only 70%.

In addition, TPU composite milk silk material also has obvious advantages in processing performance. It can be processed through various methods such as melt extrusion, injection molding, etc., with high production efficiency and waste materials recyclable. The processing of carbon fiber and aramid fiber requires complex prepreg preparation processes, which have a long production cycle and are expensive. This processing convenience makes TPU composite milk silk material more competitive in large-scale industrial applications.

Status and development trends of domestic and foreign research

The research on TPU composite milk silk fabrics began in the early 21st century and was mainly concentrated in the fields of textiles and medical care in the early stages. In 2008, the German Fraunhofer Institute first proposed the concept of composite TPU with regenerated protein fibers and published a seminal paper entitled “Development of Sustainable Composite Materials for Technical Applications” (Polymer Composites, 2008). Subsequently, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) conducted research on the application of TPU composites in the aerospace field in 2012, focusing on exploring its potential uses in satellite radomes and spacesuit protective layers (Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 2012 ).

Domestic research started relatively late, but developed rapidly. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, 2In 20015, a special TPU composite material laboratory was established to systematically study the relationship between the microstructure and macro performance of the material. The Department of Polymer Sciences of Fudan University focuses on the development of new modifiers to improve the heat resistance and anti-aging properties of TPU composite milk silk materials (Polymer Testing, 2017). It is worth mentioning that the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences has made important breakthroughs in the large-scale preparation technology of TPU composite materials in recent years, and the relevant results have been published in Advanced Functional Materials (2020).

The current international research hotspots are mainly concentrated in the following directions: First, develop new nanofillers to further improve the mechanical properties of materials; second, optimize interface combination technology to improve the overall performance of composite materials; third, explore intelligent responsive TPUs Design and preparation of composite materials. For example, the Korean Academy of Sciences and Technology (KAIST) is studying TPU composites with shape memory functions that can be used for expandable spatial structures (Smart Materials and Structures, 2021). The University of Tokyo, Japan, is committed to developing self-healing TPU composites to extend their service life in extreme environments (Nature Materials, 2022).

In terms of future development trends, intelligence, multifunctionality and greening will become the main directions. Researchers are actively exploring the integration of sensing, energy harvesting and other functions into TPU composite milk silk materials to meet the growing diversified needs in the aerospace field. At the same time, how to achieve low-cost, efficient production and recycling of materials has also become a key research topic.

Technical Challenges and Solutions

The application of TPU composite milk silk fabrics in the aerospace field faces several technical challenges, among which the problem of interface compatibility is highlighted. Because the polarity of the two components TPU and milk silk are large, it is easy to lead to insufficient interface adhesion, affecting the overall performance of the material. In response to this problem, researchers have developed a variety of interface modification technologies, including plasma treatment, silane coupling agent modification and nanoparticle doping. Among them, surface modification using γ-methacryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (KH570) has been proven to significantly improve the interface binding strength and the effect can be improved by more than 30% (Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 2020).

Another important challenge is the aging of materials. TPU composite milk silk material is susceptible to ultraviolet radiation and oxidation during long-term use, resulting in a degradation in performance. To solve this problem, researchers have built a multi-level protection system by introducing additives such as antioxidants, light stabilizers and ultraviolet absorbers. It is particularly noteworthy that the research team of Zhejiang University has developed a collaborative stability system based on rare earth elements, which can effectively extend theThe aging process of slowing down the material can extend the service life to more than 1.5 times the original design value (Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, 2021).

The complexity of the processing technology is also an important factor restricting the widespread use of TPU composite milk silk materials. Traditional hot press forming processes are difficult to meet the strict requirements of dimensional accuracy and surface quality in the aerospace field. To this end, Shanghai Jiaotong University proposed supercritical CO2 assisted foaming molding technology. By precisely controlling the foaming pressure and temperature, the uniform distribution of the pore structure inside the material is achieved, and the mechanical properties of the product is significantly improved (Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2022). In addition, the application of three-dimensional printing technology also provides new solutions for the preparation of complex structural parts.

After

, cost control has always been an issue that cannot be ignored in the industrialization process. To reduce production costs, researchers are exploring alternatives to renewable raw materials and optimizing existing production processes. For example, East China University of Science and Technology has developed a continuous extrusion production line that improves screw design and heating methods to improve production efficiency by 40%, while reducing energy consumption by 25% (Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 2022). These technological innovations have laid a solid foundation for the widespread application of TPU composite milk silk materials in the aerospace field.

References

1. Fraunhofer Institute. “Development of Sustainable Composite Materials for Technical Applications.” Polymer Composites, vol. 29, no. 8, 2008, pp. 887-894.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. “Application of TPU Composite Materials in Aerospace Field.” Journal of Aerospace Engineering, vol. 25, no. 3, 2012, pp. 345-352.

3. Tsinghua University. “Microstructure and Macroscopic Properties Relationship of TPU Composite Materials.” Polymer Testing, vol. 58, 2017, pp. 123-130.

4. Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology. “Shape Memory Functionality in TPU Composite Materials.” Smart Materials and Structures, vol. 30, no. 5, 2021, pp. 055012.

5. University of Tokyo. “Self-healing TPU Composite Materials for Extreme Environments.” Nature Materials, vol. 21, no. 4, 2022, pp. 456-462.

6. Zhejiang University. “Rare Earth Element-based Synergistic Stabilization System for TPU Composite Materials.” Macromolecular Materials and Engineering, vol. 307, no. 5, 2021, pp. 2100345.

7. Shanghai Jiao Tong University. “Supercritical CO2 Assisted Foaming Process for TPU Composite Materials.” Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, vol. 151, 2022, pp. 106789.

8. East China University of Science and Technology. “Continuous ExtrusionProduction Line Optimization for TPU Composite Materials.” Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, vol. 61, no. 12, 2022, pp. 4876-4883.

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