STTR Phase I: Durable Functional Coloring of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Structural Composites for High Strength Material Applications

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will enable development and understanding of the flow and interaction of inorganic pigments with glass fibers in a polymer melt flow molding process in order to produce colored structural composite materials. The proposed effort will lead to the development of thermoplastic composite structural materials with enhanced thermal efficiency, attractive coloring and that are processable using low-cost flow molding technologies - entirely integrated in a single-step process. Efforts that address process-performance-microstructure relationships will lead to the development of engineered thermoplastic resins and composites that that can be colored with durable pigments. This innovation has the potential to significantly impact a number of end use applications in transportation, construction, recreation and leisure, and industrial markets. Examples of applications include body panels, underbody floors, roof substructure, front and rear end modules, building interiors etc.