A Reinforcement for Multifunctional Composites for Non-Parasitic Radiation Shielding

Radiation shielding is a requirement to protect humans from the hazards of space radiation during NASA missions. Multifunctional materials have the potential to provide both non-parasitic radiation protection and structural requirements. Because of the radiation only low atomic number materials can be used. Boron and carbon meet the radiation requirement and in fibrous form meet the structural requirement. In Phase I it was demonstrated feasible to produce boron fibers on graphite fiber tow substrates. Composites produced with the boron fibers showed modulus increase and high strength compared to graphite fiber composites. Phase II will optimize the processing to maximize the boron fiber properties and the composite properties fabricated from the boron fibers. Continuous production of boron fiber processing and prepregging of the fibers will be demonstrated. The boron fibers produced will be utilized to demonstrate the fabrication of large size composites and delivery of both fibers and composites to NASA.