CAIT
Center for Advanced Infrastructure & Transportation
Rutgers, The StateUniversity of New Jersey
PROJECT OVERVIEW REPORT
- Center Identifying Number
Ceram RU9163
- Project Title
Functional Geopolymer Composites for Structural Ceramic Applications
3.Principal Investigator
Dr. P Balaguru
Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
RutgersUniversity
623 Bowser Rd.Piscataway, NJ08854-8014
Phone: 732-445-3537
- NJDOT Principal
Edward S. Kondrath, MPA
New Jersey Department of Transportation
1035 Parkway Ave.
Trenton, NJ08625
- Project Objective
Based on the requirements of NJDOT we have identified four major objectives. These four objectives are:
Objective 1: Development of functional geopolymer systems that can function under expected operating conditions in engines and turbines, which involve hydrothermal operating conditions.
Objective 2: Demonstrate a low-temperature processing technique to fabricate ceramic composites that can perform under the expected high-temperature, hydrothermal oxidizing conditions in turbines and engines through application oriented materials.
Objective 3:Scientific study of the gellation process in geopolymeric materials.
Objective 4:Generate a significant processing microstructure-property database for geopolymer-derived CMCs, that will enable manufacturers to select materials for specific applications based on the relevant properties.
- Project Abstract
Geopolymer Composites as High-Temperature Structural Materials Ceramics have a number of properties that make them ideal for application as high-temperature structural materials in a variety of applications. Specifically, use of ceramic materials as engine components can potentially raise the operating temperature of engines and turbines. The change of materials systems to ceramics from currently used nickel-based superalloy systems can result in an enhancement in temperature capability of ˜200oC, up to potential use temperatures as high as 1200oC. This step in operating temperature is well beyond what is possible through marginal engineering improvements using currently used materials. However, brittleness and unreliability in monolithic ceramics are significant problems that limit their use in such applications. These problems have been partly addressed through the significant volume of research directed at development of ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) over the last two decades. Design and materials criteria for processing materials that show “graceful failure” have been developed. The nature of fiber-matrix interfacial bonding and the properties of engineered “weak” interphases have been shown to be critical in designing materials with adequate fracture toughness and creep resistance for application as high-temperature structural materials. Despite the progress that has been achieved in development of CMCs, significant problems still remain that need to be addressed and overcome before their application in high-temperature
applications is practical. There is a significant business opportunity for the development of low-cost advanced ceramic composite materials with sufficient mechanical properties combined with corrosion resistance under hydrothermal oxidizing conditions. One type of material that has shown significant promise as potential low-cost matrix materials for CMCs are geopolymer systems,
7. Task Descriptions
Phase 1: Literature Search
Phase 2: Research Approach
Task 1 – Materials development for Optimal Nextel 610 Fiber Coating (Ceramatec).
Task 2- Coating Method Development once optimal interphase compositions are identified, thenext step will be to develop a coating process which will allow the deposition of a thin precursor aluminosilicate coating.
Task 3- Interphase Processing (Ceramatec).
Task 4- Administration and final report.
8. Milestones/Dates
Phase 1: Literature Search
Phase 2: Research Approach
Task 1 Materials Development3/31/2005
Task 2 Coating Method Development6/30/2005
Task 3 Interphase Processing10/31/2005
Task 4 Final Report12/31/2005
9. Yearly and Total Budget
Year One & Total Budget
NJDOT Sponsorship (1/1/2004-12/31/2004)$146,000
10. Student Involvement
One (1) Graduate Student Researchers
Two (2) Undergraduate Student Researchers
11. Relationship to Other Research Projects
none to date
12. Technology Transfer Activities
During the final two months a training meeting will be conducted. NJDOT will determine the attendee, however it is anticipated that maintenance and other NJDOT personnel will be shown the systems installation and operation of the most efficient, cost effective lighting found during the study. A training plan will be developed through discussions with Rutgers, the specific lighting manufactures, and NJDOT.
13. Potential Benefits of the Project
- Functional CMC system for application under high-temperature hydrothermal operating conditions.
- Database of information on processing and properties of geopolymer derived CMCs available to end-users of this technology.
- Increased operating temperatures in engines and turbines by up to 200oC for increased energy efficiency.
- Ability to incorporate functional interphases at the component processing stage, rather than tat the fiber processing stage.
14. TRB Keywords
Geopolymer, CMSC, Matrix, Silica, Engines, Turbines
15. TRB Code Words
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
623 Bowser Rd.Piscataway, NJ08854-8014
Tel: 732-445-0579 Fax: 732-445-0577
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