Thermal Reversal Activation of Pre-Preg Resins

Cornerstone Research Group (CRG) proposes to develop and demonstrate new thermally-reversible polymer matrix resin systems for shelf-stable prepregs that are ideally suited for the Navy’s needs in composite air platform repair. CRG’s proposed innovation is a foundational polymeric design approach to address the specific need of improving ambient temperature stability of the prepreg resin, while still achieving processability and effective execution of prepreg lamination and bonding at moderate (<200 °F) temperatures. The proposed thermally-reversible polymer resins offer to break the normal reaction kinetics limitations of traditional resin systems to enable significantly extended shelf life at ambient temperatures with minimal storage requirements. In principle, these thermally-reversible polymer materials function as a stable “intermediate” format of the resin, wherein reversible chemical bonds in the polymers serve to protect the functionality of the resin at standard conditions. When queried to elevated processing temperatures, the labile nature of the reversible bonds in the polymer network re-enables reactive function in the resin to allow the prepreg to reach a final lamination and cure state. This approach will build on CRG’s proven experience composite and aerospace repair technologies and prior expertise in developing similar thermally-reversible polymer systems for recycling and reconfiguration of thermoset carbon-fiber composite structures.