Description: The proposed work will demonstrate the process feasibility and mechanical properties of a polybenzoxazine/carbon fiber composite that will meet NASA's requirements for large scale lightweight structures with high temperature performance. Our proposed approach utilizes a benzoxazine resin formulation including a small main-chain oligomer in combination with a high performance monomer. This novel approach will provide for low resin viscosity to allow easier infiltration of the resin mixture into fibrous reinforcements, while maintaining superior mechanical properties, particularly temperature resistance. This technology will allow utilization of well-known manufacturing techniques capable of preparing large scale structures having affordable, reliable, predictable performance with reduced costs. The processing characteristics will be targeted to molding methods including resin transfer molding, vacuum assisted resin transfer molding, autoclave molding, and similar methods. To achieve these processability improvements we propose using a benzoxazine resin mixture of small main-chain oligomers based on bisphenol-F isomers and oxydianiline in combination with a high performance monomer. The high performance monomer is specifically designed to enhance the rate of polymerization through the near-neighbor approach. The polybenzoxazine matrix will be reinforced with carbon fibers. This work will extend previously demonstrated lightweight polybenzoxazine polymer achievements by utilizing enhanced modern chemistry to extend the processing window. The result will be a superior lightweight material with superior processability compared to other polymer matrix composites.

Benefits: The proposal is specifically targeted to the NASA applications highlighted in the X5.02 solicitation. The proposed lightweight polybenzoxazine composites are potentially relevant to the following NASA applications: Space transportation vehicles; International Space Station Modules; Micrometeoroid and Orbital Debris Shielding; and Thermal protection structures.

The developed composites can be applied to broad commercial aerospace use due to ease of processing and advantageous property profiles. Very recently, Airbus has qualified use of benzoxazine-based composites for interior and exterior applications using the first generation benzoxazine chemistry. The benzoxazine chemistry proposed in this SBIR proposal is a further advanced system that may be termed as the second and third generation benzoxazines. Thus, the benzoxazine technology that has already been accepted in the demanding aerospace arena can further be advanced. Another potential area of application is the very fast land-based transportation systems, such as magnetic levitation trains, where light-weight, high mechanical performance, and fire safety are extremely important.