High Temperature Bagging and Sealant Materials for Composite Manufacture

The main objective of this Phase I program will be to develop bagging and/or sealant formulations for use with high temperature (>650F) curing of aerospace quality advanced composite structures. Our main approach will be to formulate a high temperature processable resing system by investigating improvements of silicone rubber, fluoropolymers, polyimides and combining the chemistries of high temperature silicones with polyimides or fluoro or polyethers or polysulfones polymers. UDC will demonstrate the feasibility of ancillary processing materials such as bagging materials and\or sealants which can withstand extended processing cycles at temperatures greater than 650F and 200 psi. The concept will be demostrated by the fabrication of a composite laminate utilizing a high temperature organic matrix resin system such as AFR-700 or a thermoplastic resin which processes at temperatures greater than 600F. At the end of Phase I, we will provide a detailed Phase II plan, schedule and cost estimate.