The proposed program involves development of methods to incorporate Deuterium into several of the newer generation composite high temperature synthetic polymers. In recent years a number of heterocyclic Aromatic polymers have been developed based on various benzothiazole, benzimidazole, and oxobenzimidazoisoquinoline monomers. These materials show promise as composite matrix resins for numerous high Temperature applications such as materials for new generation engines. The objective of this program is to synthesize the deuterated analogs of a number of the most promising new materials - including PBT, PBO, and BBB polymers. The advantage of incorporating deuterium into these polymers is to greatly increase the thermal oxidative stability of the materials without changing any of the beneficial physical characteristics of the polymers themselves. The approach will be to make the deuterated products by first preparing the isotope labeled starting materials or intermediate monomers, and then reacting these to form the desired polymers. Attempts will also be made to exchange the polymers directly to investigate possible direct, low cost methods of preparation. Synthesized materials will be supplied to appropriate DOD units for comparative testing and evaluation. Thermal stabilities of up to 800 deg F and beyond are expected from these materials.
