The team's method, which involves simply heating the printed material in an inert atmosphere, causes the polymer chains to cross-link and form a rigid network, while the carbon particles act as reinforcement. The resulting material has a strength and ductility that is comparable to that of traditional metal foams, but with a much lower density.
The researchers believe that their method could be used to create a new class of lightweight, high-strength materials for a variety of applications, including aerospace, automotive, and sports equipment.
"Our method opens up the possibility of creating new materials that are stronger, lighter, and more versatile than traditional materials," said study lead author Chengyu Li, a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at UC Berkeley. "This could have a major impact on a wide range of industries."
The team's findings were published in the journal Nature Materials.
The team's method starts with a 3D printer that can print a polymer such as poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) in a desired shape. The printed part is then placed in an inert atmosphere and heated to a temperature of around 300 degrees Celsius (572 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is high enough to cause the polymer chains to cross-link, but low enough to prevent the material from degrading.
As the material cools, the cross-linked polymer chains form a rigid network that gives the material its strength. The carbon particles, which are dispersed throughout the polymer, act as reinforcement and help to prevent the material from breaking.
The resulting material has a density of around 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter (g/cc), which is about one-fifth the density of aluminum. It also has a strength of around 100 megapascals (MPa), which is comparable to that of traditional metal foams. However, the hybrid carbon microlattice material is much more ductile than metal foams, meaning that it can withstand more deformation before breaking.
The team believes that their method could be used to create a new class of lightweight, high-strength materials for a variety of applications. Some potential applications include:
* Aerospace: The material could be used to make lightweight structural components for aircraft and spacecraft.
* Automotive: The material could be used to make lightweight body panels and other components for cars and trucks.
* Sports equipment: The material could be used to make lightweight, high-performance sports equipment such as tennis rackets and golf clubs.
The team is currently working on scaling up their method so that it can be used to produce larger parts. They are also exploring different ways to modify the material's properties, such as its strength, ductility, and density.
