New Reactive Diluents for an Environmentally Efficient Approach to Composite Repair

Abstract

The use of polymer matrix composites (PMCs) to replace metal components is providing DoD with a cost effective path to create lighter, more fuel efficient, and faster vehicles (land, sea, and air). In addition, PMCs do not suffer from the effects of corrosion like their metal counter parts so there is significant savings in maintenance over a component lifetime and DoD can avoid the use of toxic corrosion inhibiting coatings {e.g. chromium (VI)}. One negative aspect to PMC production and repair is that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are often produced during processing and cure of the PMC. Elimination of VOCs is a critical target and is pivotal for increasing PMC applications while decreasing their environmental footprint. Since repair work is often done in the field where environmental control is difficult, VOC elimination is especially important. In this limited scope program we were successful in preparing three new reactive diluents for use with vinyl ester resins. The new reactive diluents (RDs), 4-(4 - tributylsilylphenoxy)styrene (S1), (3-phenoxyphenyl)methyl methacrylate (A1), and 4- phenoxyphenyl methacrylate (A2) were prepared in quantities ranging from 12 to 100 g and each RD was fully characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods. Each of the RDs prepared in this study possessed viscosities at ~100 cP and vapor emissions were reduced by 10,000+ times when compared to styrene. We found that S1 did not react well with the VE and this led to phase separation. In addition, S1 was found to be unreactive when exposed to UV light in the presence of 1 wt-% Ph3S(CF3SO3) (a known reagent for the photo-generation of acid). In contrast, both A1 and A2 were found to cure well with the VE resin utilizing common free-radical initiators.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 16, 2010
Accession Number
ADA573422

Entities

People

  • Michael E. Wright

Organizations

  • Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Chlorides
  • Composite Materials
  • Composite Structures
  • Department Of Defense
  • Ethers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Military Research
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Polymer Matrix Composites
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Surface Coatings Technology.