Fire Resistant, 2nd Generation Resorcinol, PEEK™-Like Phthalonitrile Composites For Advanced Applications

摘要

A new oligomeric 2nd generation resorcinol-based PEEK~™-like phthalonitrile (PN) resin has been developed via a cost-effective method and is being transitioned to an industrial scale. The PN monomer exhibits excellent viscosities comparable to current resin technologies at their respective processing temperatures and was used to prepare composite panels using non-autoclave techniques. The PN composite was tested in accordance with ASTM E1354, which measures the time-to-ignition (TIG), peak heat release (PHR), mass loss rate, and combustion product generation rate of a material exposed to a specified irradiance level. The composite exhibited a TIG and a PHR at 75 and 100 kW-m~(-2) of 136 and 58 seconds and 106 and 114, repectively. The flammability results show that the composite is extremely close to passing the Navy's flammability requirements of MIL-STD-2031 for applications in the most extreme fire environments. After exposure to elevated temperature oxidative aging, the composite exhibited very low weight loss and high mechanical strength retention.