High Performance Composites Research at NASA-Langley

Barriers to the more extensive use of advanced composites in heavily loaded structure on commercial transports are discussed from a materials viewpoint. NASA-Langley matrix development activities designed to overcome these barriers are presented. These include the synthesis of processable, tough, durable matrices, the development of resin property/composite property relationships which help guide the synthesis program, and the exploitation of new processing technology to effectively combine reinforcement filament with polymer matrices. Examples of five classes of polymers being investigated as matrix resins at NASA-Langley will be presented, including amorphous and semi-crystalline thermoplastics, lightly crosslinked thermoplastics, semi-interpenetrating networks and toughened thermosets. Relationships between neat resin modulus, resin fracture energy, interlaminar fracture energy, composite compression strength, and post-impact compression strength will be shown. Powder and slurry processing techniques will be discussed.