Toughened, Weather Resistant Carbon-Carbon

Cornerstone Research Group Inc. proposes to advance the state-of-the-art in mechanically toughened, weather resistant CMC composites by combining recent advances in 2.5D and 3D architecture technologies, and plasma deposition processes, with a CRG proprietary resin system called MG Resin. Addressing the need for affordable hot structures, MG Resin has proven to be an excellent material for replacing legacy pitch and phenolic resins in the production of C/C composites. The MG Resin chemistry is highly tailorable and is compatible with both liquid infusion and prepreg processing. During carbonization it forms a strong char with very high yield (>70%), and is able to produce C/C composites with densities greater that 1.6 g/cc within two PIP densification cycles. Reducing the number of densification cycles reduces the total lead time to produce a part, which directly correlates to a massive reduction in cost due to the labor savings. CRG will work with University of Dayton Research Institute to leverage their expertise in z-stitching for carbon fiber preforms to obtain through thickness reinforcement.  These preforms and MG resin will be used to make the C/C material.  CRG will also work with Plasma Processes to leverage their expertise in plasma deposition processes that have shown promise in application on and protection of C/C material.  Plasma Processes will apply plasma deposition coatings to CRG’s z-stitched MG-based C/C. The objective of this effort is to augment the benefits of cost and performance through plasma deposition of a versatile coating system designed to enhance thermal, and dielectric properties, impart oxidation resistance, and decrease weather related erosion.