UNDERSTANDING ATOMIC-SCALE STRUCTURE OF PRECERAMIC POLYMERS, INTERMEDIATE PHASES, AND FINAL CERAMICS: TOWARD TAILORABLE SIC-BASED COMPOSITES FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS
Abstract
The focus of this work is to uncover processing-structure-property relationships for ceramic nanomaterials derived from preceramic polymers for advanced aerospace applications. In collaboration with the Materials and Manufacturing Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (RX/AFRL), a suite of synchrotron X-ray characterization methods will be used connect starting morphology and chemistry to the final inorganic structure by probing this transformation in-situ under high temperature processing conditions. By using characterization techniques that probe structure from ~ 1 Å – ~1000 Å, our work will provide the needed fundamental science to establish design rules to tailor polymer chemistry to the desired microstructure, properties and composition. Preceramic polymers developed at RX/AFRL will include chemistries to produce nanoscale carbides, nitrides, and borides using a modular click chemistry approach that can enable the tuning of materials properties if structure-property relationships are understood. Successful outcomes from our proposed study will establish fundamental preceramic polymer design principles and enlarge the scope of macromolecules generated through click reactions. This will in turn, enable new types of ceramic materials with complex compositions, microstructures, and improved material properties as well as new organic/inorganic polymer hybrids.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 2021
- Source ID
- FA23862014048
Entities
People
- Nicholas M Bedford
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of New South Wales