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Improved Resin Injection Repairs for Polymer Composite Materials

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-12-C-0109
Agency Tracking Number: N121-020-1147
Amount: $80,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N121-020
Solicitation Number: 2012.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2012
Award Year: 2012
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2012-03-19
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
9063 Bee Caves Road
Austin, TX -
United States
DUNS: 625120902
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Brad Rix
 Principal Investigator
 (512) 263-2101
 brix@tri-austin.com
Business Contact
 Monte Fellingham
Title: Contracts Administrator
Phone: (512) 263-2101
Email: mfellingham@tri-austin.com
Research Institution
 Stub
Abstract

Defective and damaged composites are costly to replace, and current repair materials and techniques are inadequate to restore maximum strength. The development of an effective repair resin coupled with a simplified repair method will allow CH-53K composite parts to be repaired in factory or field settings. Texas Research Institute Austin Inc. (TRI/Austin) proposes a novel repair resin that will provide a room temperature cure, excellent mechanical and environmental properties, and exceptional adhesion to unprepared, contaminated surfaces. A very low viscosity will ensure that the resin fully wets out the damaged surfaces upon injection in order to fill in all voids. In-house advanced nondestructive testing methods will be used to map defects in CH-53 parts during injection repair demonstrations in Phase I. Adhesion, flexural modulus, in-plane shear, elastic modulus, interlaminar shear strength, fatigue, and fluid and temperature resistance of test specimens and repaired composites will be evaluated. During Phase I, TRI/Austin will work with Abaris Training, Inc., a leader in composite repair methods, and ITT Exelis, a manufacturer of CH-53K composite components. ITT Exelis will provide Phase I repair validation specimens, using Sikorsky/Navy approved fabrication procedures, as well as guidance that will ensure repair integration on the shop floor.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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