New Damage-Tolerant, High Temperature Service Composites

Polymer matrix composites have become a key material for modern aircraft construction. A new type of resin fiber treatment is proposed for fabricating highly damage tolerant and thermally stable composites by vacuum assisted compression molding (VACM) andresin transfer molding (RTM). The proposed research explores the feasibility of preparing novel ceramic-modified polymers or ceramers for assembling dry broadgood preforms and promoting efficient crack stopping in composite laminates. The Phase Iobjective is to develop high temperature stable ceramer resins for fabricating composite airframe components with higher impact damage tolerance. These hybrid resins are designed to yield bismaleimide (BMI) matrix, carbon fiber-reinforced compositeshaving high impact resistance and compatibility with more economical manufacturing processes. In Phase I, high temperature-stable, thermoplastic-based resins will be used to treat graphite fiber-based textiles to prepare composites with improved impactresistance over conventional BMI matrix composites. The test plan will include developing advanced synthetic and composite fabrication methods to reduce labor costs and produce better laminates. Methodology will be developed for uniformly incorporatingthe hybrid resin modifiers for composites with advanced ballistic survivability. Damage tolerance, mechanical and environmental durability characteristics of the resulting composites will be tested for ultimate aerospace applications.The benefits of the new composite resin treatments include improved damage tolerance, high temperature stability, improved processability, cost savings in labor and materials, and applicability with other types of high performance resin systems. Potentialcommercial applications lie in the manufacture of aerospace and terrestrial vehicles for both military and civilian markets.