Mitigation of Conductive Fiber Release by Selected Coatings

摘要

Several polymeric coatings have been evaluated, by means of a technique utilizing thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy, as to their effectiveness in preventing the release of conductive fibers from a graphite/epoxy composite subjected to a thermaloxidative environment. The coatings examined included a conventional commercial paint, a conventional Mil Spec flame-retardant paint, an experimental poly(aryloxyphosphazene)-based flame-retardant paint, and an experimental high temperature-resistant polyphenylquinoxaline (PPQ). It was concluded that the PPQ offered considerable promise for mitigating fiber release although work on formulation development is required for optimum effect. It was also concluded that the poly(aryloxyphosphazene) coated directly onto the fibers prior to their incorporation into the composite was an equally promising approach provided that the resultant degradation in mechanical properties can be circumvented.