Next Generation Aircraft Wiring Insulation

This SBIR proposes to investigate various chemical solutions and approaches for improving the chemical and hydrolytic stabilities of polyimide polymers without affecting the insulating properties of the polymer substrate. Through polyimide modification with siloxanes, fluoropolymers and other treatments, permanently water repellent polyimide materials will be produced. Other commercial polymers with superior insulating properties and chemical stabilities will be identified and evaluated as neat polymers and polyimide blends. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and other electrical property measurements will be used to monitor the hydrolytic and chemical degradation resistances of the modified polyimides and commercial polymers during long-term exposure to aqueous alkali solutions and other chemicals. Based on the mechanical and chemical degradation tests and other electrical property testing, three polymer candidates will be selected for further study and optimization. The team will then develop film formation methods for each selected polymer candidate to determine the polymer candidate most suitable for development into a low-cost, high-volume electrical wiring production process. The team’s experience in aircraft electrical wiring systems and demonstrated expertise in synthesizing new polymer materials, as well as experiences in transitioning technologies, presents aerospace communities with the opportunity to obtain durable and environmentally compliant next generation wiring insulation materials.