SBIR-STTR Award

This Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program will develop and demonstrate improved high temperature polyimide processing for future realization in manufacturing thick, complex structures for commercial and military systems. In order to achieve the goals of the SBIR solicitation, we have assembled a team with unmatched experience in the key elements necessary for success: structural polyimide science, materials supply, process science, process modeling, and thick polyimide composite aerospace structure manufacturing. In this SBIR program, we will utilize our previous experience in manufacturing process development and the latest in polyimide prepreg technology. The methodology being developed in this work has broad applicability to manufacturing all PMR-type thermosetting polyimides as well as polyimide prepregs based on the poly(amic acid) route, and the process modeling elements are directly applicable to compression molded and autoclave manufactured thick structures.

Benefit:
Commercial aircraft structures, commercial aircraft engines, DoD systems

Keywords:
Polyimide, High Temperature Composites, Thick Structures, Manufacturing Science, Process Modeling, Afr-Pe-4, Nrpe

The overall objective of the proposed SBIR program is to rapidly advance and optimize the manufacturing of dual-use carbon fiber/polyimide matrix composites with high thermo-oxidative stability (TOS) for use in aircraft components with service temperatures exceeding those of PMR-15. This objective will be achieved through the development and validation of predictive thermosetting polyimide process models and manufacturing robustness demonstration for two, commercially available, state-of-the-art materials of interest, requested by the high temperature composites community. The technology developed will be made available directly to all high temperature composite structure manufacturers, and material process models integrated into commercial modeling software.

Benefit:
The proposed program will directly impact manufacturing of polyimide matrix composite structures used in commercial and military aircraft applications.

Keywords:
Polyimide, Thick Laminates, Computational Process Modeling, Polymer Matrix Composites, Prepreg, Composites Manufacturing