3 Dimensional Nano-Scale Reinforcement Architecture for Advanced Composite Structures

In Phase II of this project we will capitalize on the successful incorporation of carbon nanotubes into carbon fabrics, by optimizing the process and scaling the technique for the manufacture of large 3-D composites that will be of use to the aerospace industry and the Air Force. In Phase I we successfully demonstrated the feasibility of incorporation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into carbon fibers and 2-D woven carbon fabrics using both chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and electrophoretic deposition. The carbon nanotube reinforced preforms were then infiltrated with polymer to obtain multiscale composites, in which hierarchical reinforcement is achieved by combining the nanoscale CNTs with conventional micro-size carbon fibers. In Phase II the manufacture of carbon nanotube/carbon fiber multi-scale hybrid composites will be optimized and the process scaled-up to produce full size structures based on structure-property evaluations of the current generation of products. Phase II of this project will provide advanced composites with improved thermomechanical and electrical properties that are suitable for a wide range of commercial aerospace and Air Force applications.