TEXAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE , AUSTIN, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Defective and damaged composites are costly to replace, and current repair materials and t

Description

Defective and damaged composites are costly to replace, and current repair materials and techniques are inadequate to restore maximum strength. The development of an effective repair resin coupled with a simplified repair method will allow CH-53K composite parts to be repaired in factory or field settings. Texas Research Institute Austin Inc. (TRI/Austin) proposes a novel repair resin that will provide a room temperature cure, excellent mechanical and environmental properties, and exceptional adhesion to unprepared, contaminated surfaces. A very low viscosity will ensure that the resin fully wets out the damaged surfaces upon injection in order to fill in all voids. In-house advanced nondestructive testing methods will be used to map defects in CH-53 parts during injection repair demonstrations in Phase I. Adhesion, flexural modulus, in-plane shear, elastic modulus, interlaminar shear strength, fatigue, and fluid and temperature resistance of test specimens and repaired composites will be evaluated. During Phase I, TRI/Austin will work with Abaris Training, Inc., a leader in composite repair methods, and ITT Exelis, a manufacturer of CH-53K composite components. ITT Exelis will provide Phase I repair validation specimens, using Sikorsky/Navy approved fabrication procedures, as well as guidance that will ensure repair integration on the shop floor.