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Finishing Process to Improve Interfacial Bonding in SiC/BMI Composites

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-05-C-0164
Agency Tracking Number: N051-025-0601
Amount: $150,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N05-025
Solicitation Number: 2005.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-03-02
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2005-09-02
Small Business Information
9621 Camino del Sol NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111
United States
DUNS: 859106296
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ronald Allred
 President
 (505) 346-1685
 rallred@adherent-tech.com
Business Contact
 Susan Switzer
Title: Administrative Projects Manager
Phone: (505) 346-1685
Email: adherenttech@comcast.net
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

High-temperature polymer matrix composites (PMCs) are desired for the aggressive environments encountered in many aerospace and military applications. These have required new blends of materials properties in the composite fiber and matrix. As polyimide resins have been improved, the thermo-oxidative stability (TOS) of the carbon fibers typically used as reinforcements have become a limiting factor for applications ranging from propulsion systems to structures for the orbiting space plane. Silicon carbide fibers provide a potentially attractive replacement for carbon fibers because of their higher thermal stability. Sizings for SiC fibers are not compatible with the new high-temperature matrix resins, which compromises composite properties. A need exists for a SiC fiber adhesion promoting finish that is compatible with high-temperature imide chemistries. Previous work has revealed chemistries that chemically bond to carbon fiber surfaces and high-temperature curing matrix resins. Composites fabricated with finishes based on these reactive coupling agent chemistries show substantially higher interface-dependent properties, TOS, and moisture resistance. The also function as weaving aids. Those chemistries will be modified to improve the interfacial bond between silicon carbide fibers and bismaleimide resins in the Phase I program. Results are expected to show that the modified reactive finishes allow control of interfacial adhesion in SiC/BMI composite systems that imparts superior interfacial strength and environmental durability.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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