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

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目将推进环氧化去甲亚麻籽油（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，并探讨了该系统的好处。第二阶段的资金将用于扩大和完善树脂制造工艺，并开发和展示使用ENLO树脂基质的散装模塑料（BMC）和片状模塑料（SMC）的性能。 研究目标是将树脂工艺扩展到1000加仑的反应器尺寸，确定具有成本效益的引发系统，制定化合物以改善纤维润湿性，相对于竞争性模塑化合物表征和基准性能，开发用于特定应用的化合物和组件原型，并探索增强技术，以提供更广泛的潜在细分市场。 预期的技术成果是实现基于ENLO树脂的具有成本竞争力的模塑料，在目标初始应用组件中展示性能，以及实现用于涂料市场的ENLO树脂化学和工艺。 该项目更广泛的影响/商业潜力将来自客户希望满足加强的环境健康和安全（EHS）需求的监管和绿色效益。 ENLO树脂来自可在国内控制的快速再生原材料流，使美国摆脱对世界不稳定地区石油储备枯竭的依赖，并为我们的农民，植物油加工商和树脂制造商提供美国就业机会。商业复合树脂包括含有苯乙烯的不饱和聚酯、由双酚A制成的环氧树脂和异氰酸酯。 ENLO树脂不含这些重要的EHS化学品，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，模制的最终产品将在复合材料的寿命期间隔离二氧化碳，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，因为相同的基体树脂可用于更大的990亿美元涂料市场。

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.