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TITLE	OVERVIEW OF POLYMER MATRIX COMPOSITES PERFORMANCE AND MATERIALS DEVELOPMENT FOR AERO-SPACE APPLICATIONS
AUTHOR(S)	Roger J. Morgan, E. Eugene Shin, Jason Lincoln and Jiang Zhou Advanced Materials Engineering Experiment Station (AMEES) Michigan State University, 2203 Eastman Avenue, Midland, MI 48640. Tel: 517-839-8502 Fax: 517-839-8504 E-Mail: morganr@amees.msu.edu
ABSTRACT	We review our present and future studies on the performance characterization and materials development of polymer matrix composites for aero-space applications. For bismaleimide (BMI) – carbon fiber composites we present the effects of monomer composition and cure conditions upon density, Tg, moisture diffusion characteristics and composite microcrack initiation and development. Longer cure time at 177°C of 8 hours versus standard 1.5 hours results in significant decrease in microcracking formation. For polymide (PI) – carbon fiber composites we report the effects of PI hydrolytic degradation as a function of time (1 – 360 days) and temperature (100 - 250°C) upon Tg, mechanical properties and molecular weight on a range of PI’s. The kinetics of degradation is characterized in terms of depolymerization to polyamic acid and then the monomers, which are both reversible processes, and then the onset of irreversible degradation. The differences in the kinetics of AFR700, K3B and PETI 5 PI’s are described in terms of their molecular structure. Issues related to the performance of polymer matrix composites for cryogenic fuel tank applications will be addressed and our initial results on the characterization of the critical parameters controlling the E-beam cure of epoxies will be presented. The development of low cost carbon fibers and high carbon content complex shaped composites from anthracite powder will be reviewed. KEYWORDS: Durability, Bismaleimides, Polyimides, E-beam Curing, and Carbon Fibers.
CONFERENCE	SAMPE 2000 - Long Beach, CA May 21 - 25, 2000
PAGES	12
PRICE	$24.00
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