High Temperature Matrices for Filament Wound Composites

The Army desires to have a high temperature matrix for use in filament winding composites that can be easily processed at room temperature and has a minimum glass transition temperature of 260C (500F)when cured. This objective will be accomplished by developing epoxy curing agent technology based on eutectic aromatic amine and anhydride chemistries. Eutectics are defined here as combinations of solid or solid/liquid amines or anhydrides that when properly combined become a stable liquid at room temperture and may even possess lower viscosity than either component alone. The use of specific high temperature aromatic amines and anhydrides will be combined and the eutectic nature determined. These eutectics, in combination with multifunctional epoxy resins, can achieve the required processing and high temperature performance necessary for missle and rocket composite applications. API will focus only on epoxy technology due to the knowledgebase, fiber adhesion, low cure shrinkage, easy processing, and low cost in comparison to other high temperature resins, such as: BMI,cynate esters,phthalonitriles, and imides.