Biobased Carbon Fibers and Thermosetting Resins for Use in DOD Composites Applications

The goal of this research was to use renewable resources derived from plants and other sources to prepare high-performance carbon fiber and thermosetting matrix resins with high strength and high thermal resistance. The scientific objectives were to 1) develop methods for breaking down, modifying, and processing renewable resources to make epoxy resins, vinyl resins, and carbon fibers, and 2) determine structure-property relationships for these novel materials.