Thermo-Plastic Materials Replacement For Metal or Composite Shelters

Military structures and shelters are located all over the world. The DoD has been trying to modernize the metal structure and shelter programs to a light weight composites material for many years but with limited success. Concerns Include: Weight Mechanical Properties/Performance Lifecycle Costs Damage tolerance and UV Resistance Corrosion Resistance Logistical Footprint/Maintenance Field reparability Pull Out requirements Ballistic properties EMF Shielding Chemical Biological or Radiological (CBR) Recyclability While thermoset composite products have penetrated other applications, there delicate nature, high costs and inability handle harsh environmental conditions has limited its effectiveness for structures and shelters. Because of the inherent advantages of thermoplastics, it is desirable to fabricate a strong, tough, and low cost thermoplastic structure or shelter using thermoplastic composites. Historically manufacturing issues have limited the manufacture of structural thermoplastic composites. Fortunately, Thermoplastic Composite Design, Inc (TCD, Inc) has the developed an innovative process to produce long fiber reinforced, structural thermoplastic composite. TCD Inc will meet the SBIR objectives by developing a unique thermoplastic composite structural panel specifically designed for the needs of structures and shelters program. When this panel is combined with TCD Inc's existing thermoplastic composite frame the resultant structure will be a 100% thermoplastic composite shelter.