Novel multiscale fibre composites for cryogenic space technologies

该项目旨在开发用于低温空间应用的新型复合材料技术。具有负热膨胀性能的多功能纳米材料将被开发，以同时降低热应力和提高断裂韧性，抑制纤维复合材料在低温下的微开裂。将开发新的交错结构作为气体屏障并提供强度。这种复合材料将为下一代可重复使用的航天器提供一种新的轻质解决方案，用于储存液氢和液氧等低温推进剂。该项目的成果将使澳大利亚公司能够生产和出口专业的高性能复合材料产品。

This project aims to develop new composite materials technologies for cryogenic space applications. Multifunctional nanomaterials with negative thermal expansion properties will be developed to simultaneously reduce thermal stress and improve fracture toughness, suppressing microcracking of fibre composites observed in current materials at cryogenic temperatures. New interleaves will be developed to act as gas barriers and provide strength. The composites will provide a new lightweight solution for storing cryogenic propellants such as liquid hydrogen and oxygen, for the next generation re-usable spacecraft. The outcomes of this project will enable Australian companies to produce and export specialised, high-performance composite products.