Flame Resistant HybridSil Matrices for Affordable, Next Generation Shipboard Carbon Fiber Composites

The objective of this Phase I STTR is to design and qualify affordable, flame resistant HybridSil copolymers that may be integrated within carbon fiber reinforced composites in place of brominated vinyl esters for improved fire resistance, negligible smoke toxicity, and enhanced mechanical properties. Equally important, down-selected copolymer matrices will provide tailorable room and low temperature rheological and curing properties compatible within VARTM processing. To that end, NanoSonic and the polymer and composite processing group of Virginia Tech"s Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program will work to augment NanoSonic"s Fire and Blast protective HybridSil materials for use as flame resistant matrices for carbon fiber composites. This innovative material technology has undergone extensive fire evaluation (ASTM E-1354, ASTM E-1321, ASTM E-84) and has passed the full scale ISO 9705 room corner burn test for qualification as a"fire restrictive material"per the IMO. HybridSil has also demonstrated blast protective properties through 0.50 cal FSP V50 (MIL-STD-662F) and buried C4 landmine testing with SwRI. Based on a current production capacity of 8,000 lbs/ day, HybridSil has a cost estimate of ~ $9 - 10 / lb, and the molecular modifications for transitioning this technology will not elevate this threshold.