Hybridized Polymer Matrix Composites.

This study program has defined design approaches and materials from which can be fabricated pyrostatic graphiteepoxy GrEp laminates that show improved retention of graphite particulates when subjected to burning. Sixteen hybridized plus two standard GrEp laminates were designed, fabricated, and tested in an effort to eliminate the release of carbon graphite fiber particles from burned burning, mechanically disturbed samples. The term pyrostatic is defined as meaning mechanically intact in the presence of fire. The main thrust of this program was aimed at the formulation of graphite particulate retentive laminates whose constituent materials, cost of fabrication, and physical and mechanical properties were not significantly different from existing GrEp composites. Therefore, all but one laminate a Celion graphitebis-maleimide polyimide were based on an off-the-shelf GrEp, the AS-135O1-5A system. Of the 16 candidates studied, four thin 10-ply and four thick 50-ply hybridized composites are recommended. Panels of the selected laminates were delivered to the NASA-Lewis Research Center. jg p.3