Innovative Approach for High Strength, High Thermal Conductivity Composite Materials

This Phase I SBIR project will demonstrate improved strength and transverse thermal conductivity in continuous pitch carbon fiber epoxy composite materials through engineering of an optimized fiber-matrix interphase. A novel low temperature ultraviolet-ozone (UVO) surface treatment coupled with a compliant reactive interphase will enable the pitch fiber strength translation to the composite while simultaneously reducing fracture initiation and propagation. Composite specimens will be fabicated from continuous pitch fiber tow and their mechanical and thermal properties characterized and related to the process variables in order to develop fundamental structure-property-processing relationships that will enable optimization of the approach. BENEFIT: Pitch carbon fiber composite materials with improved mechanical and thermal properties will have many applications in commercial aerospace and electronics thermal management applications. Passive thermal management and multi-functional thermal structural applications will benefit from the improved performance of pitch fiber composites. Development and demonstration of the proposed technology will enable it to compete with exotic thermal management materials such as metal matrix composites. This technology will offer lower cost, lighter weight, improved mechanical properties, lower thermal stresses, and improved thermal performance as compared to state of the art materials. Benefits such as these will drive the commercialization of the technology.