High Temperature Paste Adhesives and Sealants

The Air Force is seeking new adhesive materials which can withstand elevated temperatures in excess of 500 °F, which can also be implemented for a variety of uses in high-temperature composites. These uses could include fill and fair, potting, laminating, and structural applications for both bismaleimide and polyimide composites. In order to meet these goals, Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. (TRI Austin) proposes the continued development and refinement of new hybrid cyanate ester-based paste adhesives. These paste adhesives are based on cyanate ester functional monomers and oligomers which demonstrate high glass transition temperature, high thermal stability, and cure via an addition mechanism which does not create any volatiles. TRI Austin will leverage our extensive expertise in polymer formulation, and high temperature materials, to refine and finalize a formulation which demonstrates the appropriate properties, including viscosity, adhesion, cure rate, and thermal stability. In addition, TRI Austin has partnered with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin to ensure that the new adhesives will meet all processing and use requirements for integration into current and future platforms.