STTR Phase II: Durable Functional Coloring of Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Structural Composites for High Strength Material Applications

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The Small Business Technology Transfer Research (STTR) Phase II project will demonstrate the ability to color structural composite parts made of thermoplastic polymers reinforced with long (3 mm to 25 mm in length) glass fibers. Today the options are black or natural resin color which limits their design appeal. Colorants are not used in thermoplastic composites for structural applications because they historically caused significant loss in key properties. This breakthrough of successfully using durable, high performance energy managing colorants in long glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic structural materials will open options for a wide range of products in construction, safety, sporting goods, furniture, industrial, transportation and recreational markets. Application prototypes for the transportation and industrial markets will be created in this project. By integrating durable color within structural composite parts, the speed of displacing traditional materials will increase. Thermoplastic composite materials provide clear advantages relative to metals of reduced weight in the part with equal or superior properties, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility, all resulting in significant cost savings. Painting processes can be eliminated with the incorporation of color. The structural long glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics are more durable and result in less waste over time and therefore are better for the environment.