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

这一小型企业创新研究(SBIR)二期项目将推动环氧化去冰片亚麻油(ENLO)树脂作为增强复合材料的基质的开发。这种ENLO树脂是一种高生物含量、低风险的系统，其生物含量大约是任何商业证明的树脂的三倍。在第一阶段，论证了该系统的可行性，并探讨了该系统的益处。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树脂基质开发和展示块状模塑化合物(BMC)和片状模塑化合物(SMC)的性能。研究目标是将树脂工艺扩大到1000加仑的反应器大小，确定具有成本效益的引发系统，配制用于改善纤维润湿的化合物，相对于竞争性模塑化合物的性能进行表征和基准，为特定应用开发化合物和组件原型，并探索技术的改进，以提供更广泛的潜在市场细分。预期的技术成果是实现了基于ENLO树脂的具有成本竞争力的模塑化合物，展示了目标初始应用组件的性能，并实现了面向涂料市场的ENLO树脂化学和工艺。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力将来自于客户希望满足强化的环境健康和安全(EHS)需求的监管和绿色利益。ENLO树脂来自可在国内控制的快速可再生原料流，将美国从对世界不稳定地区石油储备枯竭的依赖中解放出来，并为我们的农民、植物油加工商和树脂制造商提供了美国的就业机会。商用复合树脂包括含有苯乙烯的不饱和聚酯、由双酚A制成的环氧树脂以及含有异氰酸酯的聚氨酯。ENLO树脂不含这些引起EHS重大关注的化学物质，从而使工艺、工作场所和产品更加安全。该技术的另一个主要好处是，模压最终产品将在复合材料的使用寿命内隔离二氧化碳，减少生命周期对全球变暖的影响。这些好处将被放大，远远超出180亿美元的复合材料市场的范围，因为同样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.