Carbon Reinforced Composites With a Thermal Barrier Coating 

Carbon fiber is an important material in many fields due primarily to its size to strength ratio and also its thermal resistance. This technology proposes a new curing matrix to preserve the size-to-strength ratio of the carbon fiber while maintaining shape in extreme temperatures.

Problem

A matrix is required to cure carbon fiber in order to maintain its rigidity, but in thermal testing, failure occurs not in the carbon fiber, rather in the matrix. Epoxy and other common matrices are not as thermally resistant as carbon fiber. This technology aims to solve this problem allowing for a higher thermal gradient, maintaining conditions inside the carbon fiber and increasing the thermal critical point at which the material will fail.  

Solution

By chemically altering the matrix, thermal capacitance increases, which becomes very beneficial in conditions of high heat exposure. By utilizing this matrix to cure carbon fiber, the carbon fiber material is able to retain its rigidity while heating is increased.  

Benefits

With an increase in thermal resistance, high performance vehicles and other applications of intense heat, can decrease in weight while retaining shape and also strength.  

Applications

This technology would be applied in a business setting for materials that would fail under high heat to increase thermal resistance and decrease overall weight while maintaining strength. Specific applications are high performance vehicles such as airplanes and racecars. With a curing matrix that is more thermally resistant, carbon fiber can now be applied to airplane engines and other mechanical parts on board. By utilizing carbon fiber instead of other materials, generally metal, airplanes would be able to carry a heavier load, as the actual weight of the plane has decreased. Furthermore, racecars are always looking to decrease weight in any ways they can. Racers try to remove weight even as small as ounces to get the upper hand. Allowing carbon fiber to be introduced into the engine of a racecar would prove beneficial and would allow for faster cars.  

 

 

 

 

 

Contact

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Questions about this technology including licensing availability can be directed to:

Alan Edwards, MA, JD
Manager, Technology Transfer Services
(435) 797-2328 alan.edwards@usu.edu

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USU ID C22017