PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF211-CSO1

Description

Physical Sciences Inc. will use commercially available high strength carbon fiber to optimize the fiber/resin base material (“pre-preg”) system for the manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMC). The high strength system will improve upon baseline materials established throughout the composites industry and be applicable to PSI woven fabric, tow, and tape pre-preg forms suitable for hand lay-up, fiber placement or tape braiding of complex shaped CMC components. During the program we will demonstrate compatibility of high strength fibers with the PSI CMC fabrication process. We will ultimately increase the strength to weight ratio of carbon fiber reinforced CMC, reducing preform production cost by as much as 1/3. Along with increased composite strength, fibers will continue to provide toughening to the CMC structures as a result of interface development. We will lay the groundwork for a Phase II program by performing an economic analysis estimating savings based on composite performance. Physical Sciences Inc. will use commercially available high strength carbon fiber to optimize the fiber/resin base material (“pre-preg”) system for the manufacturing of carbon fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMC). The high strength system will improve upon baseline materials established throughout the composites industry and be applicable to PSI woven fabric, tow, and tape pre-preg forms suitable for hand lay-up, fiber placement or tape braiding of complex shaped CMC components. During the program we will demonstrate compatibility of high strength fibers with the PSI CMC fabrication process. We will ultimately increase the strength to weight ratio of carbon fiber reinforced CMC, reducing preform production cost by as much as 1/3. Along with increased composite strength, fibers will continue to provide toughening to the CMC structures as a result of interface development. We will lay the groundwork for a Phase II program by performing an economic analysis estimating savings based on composite performance.