Reduced Flammability Vinyl Ester Resin Containing no halogen for use in Large Composite Ship Surface Structures via Nanocomposite Technology

Inorganic/organic nanoreinforcements based upon Nanostructured POSS Chemicals offer alternate mechanisms for fire retarding conventional polymer matrix composites. The objective of the first 12 months effort is to optimize the composite flammability,mechanical properties resulting from the VARTM method. The first year effort will conclude with a series of panels being delivered and tested for cone calorimetry, flash over testing, flame spread, smoke generation, and toxicity testing in addition tomechanical and thermomechanical property characterization. The second year (option I) will focuss on scale-up of the successful formulations and the composites will be subjected to a full room corner fire test. The third year (option II) will focus onthe manufacture of prototype components. High temperature and fire retardant polymeric resins for structural composites and coatings