Functionalized MWNT-Doped Thermoplastic Polyurethane Nanocomposites for Aerospace Coating Applications

Targeting specific aerospace coating applications, highly conductive carbon nanotubes were rigorously dispersed into a commercial topcoat PU matrix to produce nanocomposites for electrostatic dissipation and/or de-icing coatings. Systematic evaluation on a range of properties that are pertaining to the targeted applications showed that, comparing with pure PU film, an addition of 1 wt.-% functionalized MWNTs resulted in a significant improvement in the tensile strength and modulus; a 6.5 °C shift in glass transition temperature; a six orders of magnitude decrease in electrical resistivity and 24% improvement in thermal diffusivity. The durable, light color, and flexible nanocomposite with sufficiently low surface resistivity meet the requirements for aerospace coating applications.