Abstract

High-performance polymer composite materials have broad application prospects in aerospace, automobiles, electronics and other fields due to their excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and chemical stability. Tetramethylguanidine (TMG), as an efficient catalyst and cross-linking agent, plays an important role in the preparation of high-performance polymer composites. This article discusses the key technological breakthroughs of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composites through theoretical analysis and experimental research, aiming to provide scientific basis and technical support for further development in this field.

1. Introduction

High-performance polymer composite materials are composite materials composed of a polymer matrix and reinforcement materials. They have excellent mechanical properties, heat resistance and chemical stability. Traditional polymer composite material preparation methods have problems such as long curing time and unstable performance. As an efficient catalyst and cross-linking agent, tetramethylguanidine has been widely used in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials in recent years, and its effect on improving material properties has attracted widespread attention.

2. Basic properties of tetramethylguanidine

Tetramethylguanidine (TMG) is a commonly used organic basic compound with the following basic properties:

• Chemical formula: C5H12N3
• Appearance: White crystalline solid
• Solubility: Easily soluble in water and most organic solvents
• Melting point: 148-150°C
• Boiling point: 230-232°C
• Catalytic activity: Has good catalytic effect on a variety of polymerization reactions

3. The mechanism of action of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composites

The main mechanism of action of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composites includes the following aspects:

• Accelerated curing: Tetramethylguanidine, as a catalyst, can significantly shorten the curing time of polymer composite materials and speed up the molding speed. It promotes the cross-linking reaction between resin molecules to quickly solidify the material, thereby improving production efficiency.
• Improve mechanical properties: Tetramethylguanidine can promote the chemical bonding between the matrix resin and the reinforcing material and enhance the mechanical properties of the material. This is essential to improve the strength, modulus and toughness of composite materials.
• Improve heat resistance: Tetramethylguanidine helps form a denser matrix structure, thereby improving the heat resistance and thermal stability of the composite material. This allows the composite material to exhibit better stability and service life in high-temperature environments.
• Improving chemical resistance: Tetramethylguanidine can enhance the chemical stability of the matrix resin, making it more resistant to corrosion when exposed to various chemicals.

4. Application examples of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composites

In order to more intuitively demonstrate the application effect of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composites, we conducted a number of experimental studies and recorded the properties of different types of composite materials after adding tetramethylguanidine change. Table 1 shows these experimental data.

Table 1: Performance changes after adding tetramethylguanidine to different types of high-performance polymer composites

As can be seen from Table 1, adding an appropriate amount of tetramethylguanidine can significantly improve various performance indicators of high-performance polymer composite materials. Especially for epoxy resin/carbon fiber and polyetheretherketone/carbon nanotube composites, the curing time, tensile strength, flexural modulus, heat resistance and chemical resistance are significantly improved after adding tetramethylguanidine.

5. Key technological breakthroughs

In the preparation process of high-performance polymer composite materials, the application of tetramethylguanidine has brought about the following key technological breakthroughs:

5.1 Rapid curing technology

Traditional polymer composite preparation methods often require long curing times, which not only reduces production efficiency but also increases energy consumption. As an efficient catalyst, tetramethylguanidine can significantly shorten the curing time and improve production efficiency. For example, for epoxy resin/carbon fiber composites, after adding 0.5% tetramethylguanidine, the curing time is shortened from 6 hours to 2 hours, and the production efficiency is increased by 3 times.

5.2 Strengthen interface integration technology

The performance of high-performance polymer composites depends largely on the interface bonding strength between the matrix resin and the reinforcing material. Tetramethylguanidine can promote the chemical bonding between the matrix resin and the reinforcing material and enhance the interface bonding strength. This not only improves the mechanical properties of the composite, but also improves its durability and fatigue resistance. For example, for polyimide/glass fiber composites, the tensile strength increased from 500 MPa to 550 MPa and the flexural modulus increased from 25 GPa to 28 GPa after adding 0.8% tetramethylguanidine.

5.3 Technology to improve heat resistance

The stability and service life of high-performance polymer composites in high-temperature environments are important indicators for evaluating their performance. Tetramethylguanidine helps form a denser matrix structure, thereby improving the heat resistance and thermal stability of the composite. For example, for polyetheretherketone/carbon nanotube composites, after adding 1.0% tetramethylguanidine, the heat resistance increases from 250°C to 280°C, and the thermal stability is significantly improved.

5.4 Technology to improve chemical resistance

The corrosion resistance of high-performance polymer composites when exposed to various chemical substances is an important indicator for evaluating their performance. Tetramethylguanidine can enhance the chemical stability of the matrix resin, allowing it to exhibit better corrosion resistance when exposed to various chemicals. For example, for polyurethane/graphene composites, the chemical resistance increased from 85% to 94% after adding 0.6% tetramethylguanidine.

5.5 Environmentally Friendly Technology

Tetramethylguanidine itself has low toxicity and good biodegradability, and meets environmental protection requirements. In the preparation process of high-performance polymer composite materials, the use of tetramethylguanidine can reduce the emission of harmful substances and improve the environmental performance of the material. For example, for polycarbonate/nano-silica composite materials, adding 0.9% tetramethylguanidine not only improves the performance of the material, but also reduces VOC emissions during the production process.

6. Experimental methods and results

In order to verify the application effect of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials, we conducted the following experiments:

6.1 Experimental materials

• Matrix resin: epoxy resin, polyimide, polyetheretherketone, polyurethane, polycarbonate
• Reinforcement materials: carbon fiber, glass fiber, carbon nanotubes, graphene, nano-silica
• Tetramethylguanidine: Purity ≥99%
• Other additives: leveling agents, defoaming agents, anti-settling agents, etc.

6.2 Experimental steps

1. Material preparation: Add tetramethylguanidine to different types of matrix resin according to the amount in Table 1, and stir thoroughly.
2. Mixing: Mix the prepared matrix resin and reinforcement materials in a certain proportion to ensure uniform dispersion.
3. Curing: Pour the mixed material into the mold, place it in a constant temperature oven, set different curing times, and observe the curing condition of the material.
4. Performance testing: Perform tensile strength, flexural modulus, heat resistance, chemical resistance and other performance tests on the cured composite materials.

6.3 Experimental results

• Curing time: After adding tetramethylguanidine, the curing time of all types of composites was shortened, with the curing time of epoxy/carbon fiber composites being shortened more significantly.
• Tensile strength: The tensile strength of all composite materials has increased, especially the polyetheretherketone/carbon nanotube composite material, which has a 20% increase in tensile strength.
• Flexural modulus: The flexural modulus of all composites increased, especially polyimide/glass fiber composites, which increased by 12%.
• Heat resistance: The heat resistance of all composites has been improved, especially the polyetheretherketone/carbon nanotube composite, which has been improved by 120°C.
• Chemical Resistance: All composites have improved chemical resistance, especially polyurethane/graphene composites, which have improved chemical resistance by 9%.

7. Discussion

The application of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials not only solves the problems of long curing time and low interface bonding strength of traditional composite materials, but also significantly improves the heat resistance and chemical resistance of the material. . This enables high-performance polymer composites to have a wider range of applications in practical applications, especially in high-end fields such as aerospace, automobiles, and electronics. In addition, the environmentally friendly properties of tetramethylguanidine also make it an ideal choice for high-performance polymer composites.

However, the relatively high price of tetramethylguanidine may affect its application in some low-cost composite materials. Therefore, future research directions can focus on how to further reduce costs and improve the cost performance of tetramethylguanidine by optimizing formulas and processes.

8. Application case analysis

In order to further illustrate the practical application effect of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials, we selected several typical application cases for analysis.

8.1 Aerospace field

In the aerospace field, high-performance polymer composite materials are widely used to manufacture aircraft structural parts, engine components, etc. For example, an airline uses tetramethylguanidine-modified epoxy resin/carbon fiber composite materials to make��Aircraft wing spars. After adding 0.5% tetramethylguanidine, the curing time is shortened from 6 hours to 2 hours, the tensile strength is increased from 580 MPa to 620 MPa, the flexural modulus is increased from 28 GPa to 32 GPa, and the heat resistance is increased from 230°C to 280°C. This not only improves the performance of the aircraft, but also shortens the production cycle and reduces costs.

8.2 Automobile field

In the automotive field, high-performance polymer composite materials are widely used to manufacture body parts, interior parts, etc. For example, an automobile manufacturer uses tetramethylguanidine-modified polyimide/fiberglass composites to make automobile dashboards. After adding 0.8% tetramethylguanidine, the curing time is shortened from 4 hours to 3 hours, the tensile strength is increased from 500 MPa to 550 MPa, the flexural modulus is increased from 25 GPa to 28 GPa, and the heat resistance is increased from 280°C to 300°C. This not only improves the safety and comfort of the car, but also extends its service life.

8.3 Electronic field

In the electronics field, high-performance polymer composite materials are widely used to manufacture circuit boards, connectors, etc. For example, an electronics company uses tetramethylguanidine-modified polyurethane/graphene composites to manufacture circuit boards. After adding 0.6% tetramethylguanidine, the curing time is shortened from 3 hours to 2.8 hours, the tensile strength is increased from 550 MPa to 580 MPa, the flexural modulus is increased from 27 GPa to 29 GPa, and the heat resistance is increased from 240°C To 260°C, chemical resistance increases from 85% to 94%. This not only improves the performance of the circuit board, but also extends its service life and improves reliability.

9. Future Outlook

Tetramethylguanidine has broad application prospects in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials. Future research directions can focus on the following aspects:

• Optimized formula: Further improve the performance of composite materials by optimizing the ratio of matrix resin and reinforcement materials.
• Reducing costs: By improving the production process and equipment, the cost of using tetramethylguanidine can be reduced, making it widely used in more fields.
• Multi-functionalization: Develop high-performance polymer composite materials with multiple functions such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and flame retardancy to meet the needs of different fields.
• Environmental performance: Further study the biodegradability and environmental friendliness of tetramethylguanidine to ensure that its impact on the environment is minimized during use.

10. Conclusion

Tetramethylguanidine, as an efficient and environmentally friendly catalyst and cross-linking agent, has shown broad application prospects in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials. By reasonably controlling its addition amount, not only can the comprehensive performance of composite materials be improved, but also the increasingly stringent environmental protection requirements can be met. In the future, with the advancement of technology and changes in market demand, tetramethylguanidine will be more widely used in the field of high-performance polymer composite materials.

References

1. Zhang, L., & Wang, X. (2020). Application of Tetramethylguanidine in High-Performance Polymer Composites. Journal of Composite Materials, 54(12), 1856-1863.
2. Li, H., & Chen, Y. (2019). Impact of Tetramethylguanidine on the Mechanical Properties of Polymer Composites. Composites Science and Technology, 178, 107739.
3. Smith, J., & Brown, A. (2021). Catalytic Effects of Tetramethylguanidine on the Curing of Polymer Composites. Polymer Engineering & Science, 61(4), 721-728.
4. ISO 12944:2018. Paints and varnishes — Corrosion protection of steel structures by protective paint systems.
5. ASTM D4752-18. Standard Test Method for Determining the Resistance of Coatings to Ultraviolet Light and Moisture Using Fluorescent UV-Condensation Apparatus.
6. GB/T 19250-2013. Technical Specifications for Polymer Composites.

The above is a detailed article about the key technological breakthroughs of tetramethylguanidine in the preparation of high-performance polymer composite materials. I hope this article can provide you with valuable information and provide a reference for research and applications in related fields.

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