High Compressive Strength Thermoplastic Composites

Maxdem has developed a novel family of exceptionally high modulus, high strength, thermoplastic resins, designated Poly-X, based on processable rigid-rod polymer technology. Poly-X derivatives possess a unique array of properties among organic polymers and, yet, are projected to be competitively priced at commercial production levels. Composites fabricated with Poly-X resins are expected to be lightweight, have unprecedented compressive strengths, have low flammability, be thermally and thermooxidatively stable, and to be resistant to corrosion and a wide variety of solvents and chemicals. During the proposed Phase I work, 2 kilograms of one Poly-X derivative, to be chosen after preliminary fiber-resin assessments, will be prepared for detailed resin testing, development of processing techniques, and composite panel fabrication and testing. A successful effort will demonstrate that high quality Poly-X composites can be prepared by standard thermoplastic composite fabrication techniques and will provide baseline mechanical and failure properties. Phase II efforts will build on this work and include more detailed testing of larger structural sections to optimize the various parameters (fiber-matrix interface, resin toughness, etc.) critical for achieving the ultimate promise of ultralightweight composites.