Advanced Development for Defense Science and Technology

Emerging combat conditions require new multifunctional fiber materials, associated composite systems and processing techniques to be developed starting now. As envisioned, these materials cannot be based on incremental gains made using current technology, but major leaps forward arising from completely new fiber technologies. TRI/Austin recently conceived of a novel material, which it believes is a strong candidate to produce the revolutionary engineering fiber that will compliment or replace legacy high performance fibers, based on its higher modulus, strength, toughness, environmental resistance and significantly reduced cost. In the proposed work, we continue to investigate and develop: (1) the chemical synthesis and properties of the fiber, (2) the engineering knowledge and skills necessary to produce fibers and yarns with the necessary, high degree of precision, and (3) the technical data to support its use in military and civilian market sectors. Phase II will focus on design and construction of a pilot-scale plant to investigate the effects of normal production variances on fiber properties and quality. TRI will utilize yields from this phase of the work to promote the new fiber for various commercial end uses requiring basic engineering data from fibers, yarns, textiles and composites.