Ambient Temperature-Curable Bond Primer for Bonded Repair

New thermally resistant and ambient curable adhesive primers are required for aircraft repair. Structural repairs performed under ambient conditions yet providing high temperature resistance are highly desirable for both military and commercial aerospace sectors. TRI/Austin proposes the development of unique preceramic primers that will provide excellent adhesion, corrosion protection, and high temperature performance with ambient curing. To successfully accomplish this endeavor TRI/Austin will use a lucid experimental design approach to optimize the innovative thermally stable primer compositions. We will characterize the performance on selected adhesion, salt fog, processing, and additional pertinent testing. These preceramic primer formulations will incorporate new resin materials and custom corrosion protection additives. Only recently, have these new preceramic resins become commercially available. Phase II will focus on further optimization of the new primer and product scale up, thorough field application studies, and laboratory testing. This will lead to early commercialization and military deployment during Phase III. These new high temperature ambient curable primers will result in significant initial savings and life cycle supportability costs. Increased savings will be realized due to reduced waste, decreased production time, decreased labor expenses, and lower maintenance costs. Considerable savings can be also realized on other military and civilian aircraft.