NOVEL HIGH-TEMPERATURE POLYMER/INORGANIC NANOCOMPOSITES

Triton Systems proposes to develop new high-use temperature, lightweight polymer/inorganic nanocomposite materials for use in future airframes and rockets with enhanced performance characteristics. We will use stow unique approaches that are based on the use of surface modified layered-silicate polymer/organic nanocomposites. Surface modification in the existing nanocomposites is often achieved by using an organic surfactant such as alkyl ammonium where the organic cation exchanges at the oxide surface and provides a favorable site for interaction between the organic and inorganic functionalities. Although, this approach has been exploited and has been shown to offer significant performance advantages for a variety of commodity polymers, the thermal instability of the surfactants used, has hindered this technology form realizing its full potential. Triton Systems will demonstrate two direct melt processible techniques that enhance the thermal stability of the nanocomposite system form its current limits of ~100-150¿C, to >250¿C. In a follow-up the Phase II program, we will optimize nanocomposite properties, and take these materials into the stages of manufacturing of commercially applicable forms (e.g., films, fibers, molded components) to satisfy USAF and other commercial applications.