SBIR-STTR Award

Highly conformal graphite/peek thermoplastic composite fabrics utilizing co-mingled yarns are currently being investigated for use in simple curvature primary helicopter structure. This program seeks to advance their use to compound curvature helicopter primary structure and concurrently demonstrate a manufacturing process applicable to large, complex structures. The development program includes selection of a representative helicopter structural component, selection of a specific material and process, process optimization, limited mechanical testing, and fabrication of two parts. A final report shall be prepared.

In a Phase I contract, acp demonstrated that fabrics made from commingled thermoplastic composite yarns could be used to fabricate complex integrated helicopter structure. This offers the potential for low cost, damage tolerant airframe structure in upcoming applications such as lhx. However, one of the current limits to achieving this goal has been the design, fabrication, and operation of cost-effective, high quality, high temperature tooling. The objective of this phase ii program, then, is to refine and demonstrate the most promising technology in self-heated, high temperature tooling for thermoplastic composite processing.