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Chuang, Kathy C.

Publications and source records attributed to Chuang, Kathy C..

28 records · Page 2

High Temperature Polymeric Materials for Space Transportation Propulsion Applications

High temperature polymer matrix composites are attractive materials for space transporation propulsion systems because of their low density and high specific strength. However, the relatively poor stability and processability of these materials can render them unsuitable for many of these applications. New polymeric materials have been developed under the Propulsion Research and Technology Program through the use of novel resin chemistry and nanotechnology. These new materials can significantly enhance the durability and weight and improve the processability and affordability of propulsion components for advanced space transportation systems.

Meador, Michael A.

A High T(sub g) PMR Polyimide Composites (DMBZ-15)

A high T(sub g) thermosetting PMR-type polyimide, designated as DMBZ-15, was developed by replacing methylene dianline (MDA) in PMR-15 with 2,2'-dimethylbenzidine. Polyimide/carbon fiber (T650-35) composites were fabricated from a formulation of 3,3', 4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid dimethyl ester (BTDE) and 2,2'-dimethylbenzidine (DMBZ), along with nadic ester (NE) as the endcap. DMBZ-15 displays a higher glass transition temperature (T(sub g) = 414 C) than PMR-15 (T(sub g) = 345 C), and thus retains better mechanical properties for brief exposure above 400 C. The physical properties and longterm thermo-oxidative stability of the DMBZ-15 polyimide/carbon fiber composites are also compared to that of PMR-15.

Chuang, Kathy C.

Structure-Property Relationship in High Tg Thermosetting Polyimides

This viewgraph presentation gives an overview of the structure-property relationship in high glass transition temperatures (T(sub g)) thermosetting polyimides. The objectives of this work are to replace MDA in PMR-15 with 2,2-substituted benzidine and to evaluate the thermo-oxidative stability and mechanical properties of DMBZ-15 against PMR-15. Details are given on the T(sub g) of polyimide resins, the x-ray crystal structure of 2,2-Bis(trifluoro)benzidine (BFBZ), the isothermal aging of polyimide resins at 288 C under 1 atm of circulating air, the compressive strength of polyimide composites, and a gas evaluation profile of DMBZ-15 polyimide resins.

Chuang, Kathy C.

Low-Cost, High Glass-Transition Temperature, Thermosetting Polyimide Developed

PMR-15 polyimide, developed in the mid-1970's at the NASA Lewis Research Center, is recognized as a state-of-the-art high-temperature resin for composite applications in the temperature range of 500 to 550 F (260 to 288 C). PMR-15 offers easy processing and good property retention at a reasonable cost. For these reasons, it is widely used in both military and commercial aircraft engine components. Traditionally, polyimide composites have been designed for long-term use at 500 to 600 F over thousands of hours. However, new applications in reusable launch vehicles (RLV's) require lightweight materials that can perform for short times (tens of hours) at temperatures between 800 and 1000 F (425 and 538 C). Current efforts at Lewis are focused on raising the use temperature of polyimide composites by increasing the glass-transition temperature of the matrix resins. Achieving this dramatic increase in the upper use temperature without sacrificing polymer and composite processability is a major technical challenge.

Chuang, Kathy C.

Synthesis and Characterization of Polyimides with Ether Linkages

A series of polyimides derived from a newly synthesized diamine, namely, 4,4-bis(4-aminophenoxy)-2,2-dimethylbiphenyl (BAPD), were developed and characterized. Their physical and thermal properties were compared to polyimides based on'commercially available 2,2-bis(4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl)propane (BAPP).

Chuang, Kathy C.

Rigid-Rod Polyimides

Experimental polyimides relatively rigid synthesized in effort to exploit some of advantages of rodlike polymers, while alleviating disadvantages. Polymers used to make colorless fibers and transparent films for optical and electronic application.

Chuang, Kathy C.

Effects of Endcaps on the Properties of Polyimide/Carbon Fiber Composites

Carbon fiber (T650-35) composites were fabricated from polyimide resins, using 4,4'-(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic acid, dimethyl esters (HFDE) and p-phenylenediamine (p-PDA) with three different endcaps; namely, nadic ester (NE), p-aminostyrene (p-AS) and 4-phenylethynylphthalic acid, methyl ester. The curing chemistry of these endcaps will be reviewed. The thermo-oxidative stability as well as the physical and mechanical properties of these polyimide/carbon fiber composites will be discussed.

Chuang, Kathy C.

High Flow Addition Curing Polyimides

A new series of high flow PMR-type addition curing polyimides was developed, which employed the substitution of 2,2'-bis (trifluoromethyl) -4,4'-diaminobiphenyl (BTDB) for p-phenylenediamine (p -PDA) in a PMR-IL formulation. These thermoset polyimides, designated as 12F resins, were prepared from BTDB and the dimethyl ester of 4,4'- (hexafluo- roisopropylidene) -diphthalic acid (HFDE) with either nadic ester (NE) or p-aminostyrene (PAS) as the endcaps for addition curing. The 12F prepolymers displayed lower melting temperatures in DSC analysis, and higher melt flow in rheological studies than the cor- responding PMR-11 polyimides. Long-term isothermal aging studies showed that BTDB- based 12F resins exhibited comparable thermo-oxidative stability to P-PDA based PMR-11 polyimides. The noncoplanar 2- and 2'-disubstituted biphenyldiamine (BTDB) not only lowered the melt viscosities of 12F prepolymers, but also retained reasonable thermal sta- bility of the cured resins. The 12F polyimide resin with p-aminostyrene endcaps showed the best promise for long-term, high-temperature application at 343 C (650 F).

Chuang, Kathy C.

High-Flow, High-Molecular-Weight, Addition-Curing Polyimides

In developed series of high-flow PMR-type polyimide resins, 2, 2'-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4, 4'-diaminobiphenyl (BTDB) substituted for 1, 4-pheylenediamine in PMR-II formulation. Polyimides designated either as PMR-12F when nadic ester (NE) end caps used, or as V-CAP-12F when p-aminostyrene end caps used. High-molecular-weight, addition-curing polyimides based on BTBD and HFDE highly processable high-temperature matrix resins used to make composite materials with excellent retention of properties during long-term exposure to air at 650 degrees F or higher temperature. Furthermore, 12F addition-curing polyimides useful for electronic applications; fluorinated rigid-rod polyimides known to exhibit low thermal expansion coefficients as well as low absorption of moisture.

Chuang, Kathy C.

Effects of a noncoplanar biphenyldiamine on the processing and properties of addition polyimides

Addition curing polyimides, prepared from noncoplanar 2,2'-bis(trifluoromethyl) 4,4' diaminobiphenyl (BTDB) with various dianhydrides were evaluated as high temperature polymer matrix materials. T sub g of these polymers were measured by mechanical methods as well as by thermal mechanical analysis. Physical and mechanical properties as well as the thermo-oxidative stability of neat resins and the corresponding G40-600 graphite fiber reinforced composites were compared to that of PMR-II-50 and V-CAP-75.

Chuang, Kathy C.