KOSEN 한인과학기술자네트워크

Reduced Flammability Vinyl Ester Resin Containing No Halogens for Use in Large Composite Ship Surface Structures via Nanocomposite Technology Primary Sponsor: Department of Defense Deadline: 4/11/2001 KEYWORDS TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Materials/Processes DOD ACQUISITION PROGRAM SUPPORTING THIS TOPIC: DD21 (PMS 500) and Virginia class submarine (PMS 450) OBJECTIVE: Develop a low flammability vinyl ester resin that contains no halogens and has similar processibility (viscosity, cure properties) and mechanical properties to the Navy standard vinyl ester Derakane 510A. Lower flammability includes less smoke and carbon monoxide generation and a reduced heat release rate. The suggested route for obtaining low flammability is the broadly defined ‘nanocomposite’ approach in which a small amount of an inflammable material (possibly inorganic) is dispersed on a nano-scale. DESCRIPTION: The Navy is concerned with reducing the flammability of fiberglass structures through use of nonhalogenated resins. Fiberglass is used to make large structures because of processibility and low cost. Any approach taken to reduce flammability therefore must not significantly increase cost or alter processibility. The ‘nanocomposite’ approach shows promise. For example, the incorporation of treated clays which exfoliate into isolated sheets 2 nanometers thick and microns in length and width has been shown to greatly reduce flammability in several resin systems (ref. 1,2) It is believed that the inorganic silicate structure supports the polymer resin structure during a fire preventing flow, and as surface resin is burned away, the inflammable silicate layers form a surface layer which impedes the flow of oxygen to the remaining organic resin. Such an approach has the potential of being cheap (clay) and only slightly altering processing (use of 2-5 weight percent may be sufficient). The term ‘nanocomposite’ is broadly defined in this solicitation, and pertains to many morphologies beyond exfoliated clays. The Navy standard low flammability vinyl ester resin is Derakane 510A. The goal is reduced flammability and similar or improved processing and mechanical properties from a nonhalogenated resin and at a reasonable cost. PHASE I: Development of the resin, small scale characterization of viscosity and cure, small scale testing for flammability (such as ASTM E1354 Cone Calorimetry for heat release rate, mass loss, carbon monoxide, and smoke production), and neat mechanical properties. PHASE II: Scale up of the resin, production of fiberglass panels, mechanical characterization, and full scale demonstration, i.e., mechanical and fire testing (such as ISO 9705 Room Corner Fire Test). PHASE III: Commercialization through an interested third party. DUAL-USE POTENTIAL: Fiberglass is used in the home (vanities, countertops, ladders), in vehicles, in boats, airplane interior compartments, and many other places where reduced flammability is an issue. REFERENCES: (1) E.P. Giannelis, Advanced Materials, 8, 29, (1996). (2) J.W. Gilman, T. Kashiwagi, J.D. Lichtenhan, "Nanocomposites: A Revolutionary New Flame Retardant Approach", SAMPE Journal, 33(4), July/August 1997. KEYWORDS: Nanocomposite; Vinyl Ester Resin; Fiberglass; Nonhalogenated Resin; Flame Retardant; Exfoliated Clays DoD Notice: Between January 2 and February 28, 2001, you may talk directly with the DoD scientists and engineers who authored the solicitation topics, to ask technical questions about the topics. The Topic Author is listed in the box below. For reasons of competitive fairness, direct communication between proposers and topic authors is not allowed after February 28, 2001, when DoD begins accepting proposals under this solicitation. TPOC: Paul Armistead Phone: 703-696-4315 Fax: 703-696-6887 Email: armistj@onr.navy.mil. 2nd TPOC: Usman Sorathia Phone: 301-227-5588 Fax: 301-227-4814 Email: SorathiaUA@nswccd.navy.mil. After February 28, 2001 proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS). If you have general questions about DoD SBIR program, please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at (800) 382-4634 or email to SBIRHELP@teltech.com. NOTE: The Solicitations listed on this site are copies from the various SBIR agency solicitations and are not necessarily the latest and most up-to-date. For this reason, you should use the agency link listed below which will take you directly to the appropriate agency server where you can read the official version of this solicitation and download the appropriate forms and rules. The official link for this solicitation is: http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/sttr01/dod_sttr01.htm. DoD will begin accepting proposals on March 1, 2001. The solicitation closing date is April 11, 2001.