SBIR Phase II: Composites Based on High Bio-content, Low Toxicity, Green Matrix Resins

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目将推进环氧化去硼化亚麻籽油（ENLO）树脂作为增强复合材料基体的开发。这种ENLO树脂是一种高生物含量、低危害的体系，其生物含量大约是任何经商业验证的树脂的三倍。在第一阶段，论证了该系统的可行性，并探讨了系统的效益。第二阶段的资金将用于扩大和改进树脂制造工艺，并利用ENLO树脂基质开发和演示大块成型化合物（BMC）和片状成型化合物（SMC）的性能。研究目标是将树脂工艺扩展到1000加仑反应器尺寸，确定成本有效的起始系统，制定改善纤维湿性的化合物，相对于竞争性成型化合物表征和基准性能，为特定应用开发化合物和组件原型，并探索技术的增强，以提供更广泛的潜在细分市场。预期的技术成果是基于ENLO树脂的具有成本竞争力的成型化合物的实现，目标初始应用组件的性能演示，以及涂料市场的ENLO树脂化学和工艺的实现。该项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力将来自客户希望满足加强的环境、健康和安全（EHS）要求的监管和绿色效益。ENLO树脂来源于可快速再生的原材料流，可以在国内控制，将美国从依赖世界不稳定地区的石油储备中解放出来，并为美国的农民、植物油加加工者和树脂制造商提供就业机会。商业复合树脂包括不饱和聚酯，它含有苯乙烯，由双酚A制成的环氧树脂，和异氰酸酯的聚氨酯。ENLO树脂不含这些重大EHS关注的化学物质，导致更安全的过程，工作场所和产品。该技术的另一个主要好处是，成型的最终产品将在复合材料的生命周期内隔离二氧化碳，减少生命周期对全球变暖的贡献。这些好处将远远超出180亿美元复合材料市场的范围，因为相同的基质树脂可以用于更大的990亿美元的涂料市场。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will advance the development of Epoxidized Norbornylized Linseed Oil (ENLO) resin as a matrix for reinforced composites. This ENLO resin is a high bio-content, low hazard system with roughly three times the bio-content of any commercially proven resin. In Phase I feasibility was demonstrated and benefits of the system were explored. Phase II funding will be used to scale and refine the resin manufacture process and to develop and demonstrate performance of Bulk Molding Compound (BMC) and Sheet Molding Compound (SMC) utilizing the ENLO resin matrix. The research objectives are to scale the resin process to 1000-gallon reactor size, to identify a cost effective initiation system, to formulate compounds for improved fiber wetout, to characterize and benchmark performance relative to competitive molding compounds, to develop compounds and component prototypes for specific applications, and to explore enhancements to the technology that would provide a wider range of potential market segments. The anticipated technical results are the realization of cost competitive molding compounds based on the ENLO resin, the demonstration of performance in targeted initial application components, and the realization of an ENLO resin chemistry and process for the coatings market. The broader impact / commercial potential of this project will derive from the regulatory and green benefits that customers desire to meet strengthened Environment Health and Safety (EHS) demands. The ENLO resin is derived from rapidly renewable raw material streams that can be domestically controlled, liberating the U.S. from the dependence on depleting oil reserves from unstable regions of the world and providing U.S. jobs for our farmers, plant oil processors, and resin manufacturers. Commercial composites resins include unsaturated polyesters, which contain styrene, epoxies made from Bis-phenol A, and urethanes with isocyanate. The ENLO resin contains none of these chemicals of significant EHS concern resulting in safer processes, workplaces, and products. Another major benefit of the technology is that the molded end products will sequester carbon dioxide for the life of the composite, reducing the life cycle contribution to global warming. These benefits will be magnified well beyond the scope of the $18 billion composites market because the same matrix resin can be used in the much larger $99 billion coatings market.