PROPOSAL NUMBER 99-1 08.07-8008 (Chron: 992329 )
PROJECT TITLE
Incorporation of Nanotubes into Epoxies for Fabricating Advanced Composites
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
This Phase I project will addresses the development of a new method for incorporating single walled nanotubes into epoxies. The great strength and light weight that can result from incorporating these tubes into composites is the motivation behind this work. The ability of poly(m-phenylenevinylene-co-2,5-dioctoxy-p-phenylenevinylene (PmPV) to encase and promote the solvation of long carbon nanotubes, permits use of this polymer for long nanotube incorporation into epoxies. Development of resin formulations suitable for this process will include consideration of both processing and performance of the resulting composites. Epoxy formulations will contain multiple resin, modifier, hardener, and diluent components, which interact to affect the most advantages processing and performance characteristics. This will be especially true with regarded to nanotube uptake and uniformity in the epoxy resins. Optimization of a multicomponent formulation to satisfy multipple requirements is materials intensive and time consuming, therefore this project will utilize a multicriteria optimization method to refine formulations to minimize these restraints. This mathematical technique provides for the systematic formulation and processing of variables to efficiently approach optimal performance of the material. This project will result in new epoxy resins capable of fabricating high performance aerospace composites containing nanotubes.
POTENTIAL COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS
Successful completion of this program will result in a new generation of high strength, light weight composites. The resulting composites will be of immediate interest as secondary and primary structures for aerospace and military applications. The cost reductions accessible from RTM fabrication will also make these materials of interest to automotive, transportation, and recreational composite markets, once production of carbon nanotubes becomes feasible.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR (Name, Organization Name, Mail Address,
City/State/Zip)
Richard A. Bley
Eltron Research Inc
5660 Airport Blvd. #105
Boulder , CO 80301 - 2340
NAME AND ADDRESS OF OFFEROR (Firm Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)
Eltron Research, Inc.
5660 Airport Blvd., #105
Boulder , CO 80301 - 2340