Demonstration of Military Composites with Low Hazardous Air Pollutant Content
Abstract
Liquid resins used for molding composite structures are a significant source of volatile organic compounds (VOC) and hazardous air pollutant (HAP) emissions. One method of reducing styrene emissions from vinyl ester (VE) resins is to replace some or all of the styrene with fatty acid-based monomers. Fatty acid monomers are ideal candidates because they are inexpensive, have low volatilities, and promote global sustainability because they are derived from renewable resources. This patent pending technology allows for the formulation of high performance composite resins with no more than 25 wt% styrene. These resins have low viscosities suitable for vacuum infusion methods, and have excellent polymer and composite properties. As a result, these resins are currently being demonstrated/validated for DoD use on Army tactical vehicles, including HMMWV hoods, HMMWV helmet hardtops, T-38 dorsal covers, and composite rudders for the Navy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA481085
Entities
People
- Felicia Levine
- James M. Sands
- John Gillespie Jr.
- John J. Lascala
- Ken Patterson
- Lawrence Coulter
- M. Starks
- Philip Myers
- Roger Crane
- Stephen Andersen
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory