At Thiokol

Minuteman, 1960s - Material out-life: 4 days (6-month shelf-life)

FWC, 1980s - Wet-wind and delaminations

Peacekeeper, 1980s - Material out-life: 1 day only (6-month shelf-life)

SICBM, 1985-92 - Material out-life: 6 days (6-month shelf-life)

CASTOR 120® 1990s - Demonstration opportunity for ATK Composites products

 

Current Systems Using TCR Composites Towpregs

Lockheed - Athena - CASTOR 120®

Orbital Sciences - Taurus - CASTOR 120®

MHI - HII-A

Avio - VEGA - Zefiro 9, Zefiro 23, P-80

Northrop Grumman/Raytheon - ATK - KE - Stage I & II

 

TCR™ prepreg technology

-A unique family of epoxy prepreg resins

-Room-temperature shipping and storage

-Environmentally friendly (solvent-free process, no MDA)

-Improved processibility and excellent fiber performance

-Cost-competitive

-User-friendly and easy to handle

 

Distinguishing characteristics

-Fiber tack can be tailored

-Controllable resin flow during cure

-Resin content control to within ± 1%

-Shelf-life is 12 months at temperatures not greater than 75°F (24°C)

-Simple, various flexible cure cycles; can be cured without vacuum bag or autoclave

-Rotating and non-rotating systems

Tow, strands, yarns suppliers

Continuous carbon fiber (3k–80k): Cytec, Mitsubishi—Graphli—Pyrofil, Hexcel, Toho—Tenax, Toray—Soficar, Zoltek, Aldila, SGL

Glass roving: Owens Corning, PPG, Vetrotex Certainteed, AGY, Fiberex

Aramid :Teijin—Twaron, DuPont—Kevlar,

PBO: Toyobo—Zylon

Basalt: Kamenny Vek

 

Fabric

U.S. and European Suppliers: Fabric Development, TPI, Johnston Composites, Hexcel, Vetrotex Certainteed, Syncoglass, Citomarat, Porcher, Saertex, Sigmatex

Carbon, glass, and Aramid (various weights, weaves, styles, widths)

Woven, non-woven, and unidirectional

Widths up to 60 in. (1.52 m)

Veils, mats, tissues

 

Prepreg unidirectional tape

Fiber types: Carbon, Glass, Aramid
FAW-150-1,200 g/m2
Width: up to 12 in. (0.30 m)

 

 

 

Prepreg braided socks and sleeving

Supplier: A&P Technology, Carbon, Glass, Aramid, Hybrid
Diameter: 0.25 to 32.0 in. (0.64 to 81.28 cm)

 

 

 

Rocket motor cases (CASTOR 120)

SRB-A

MK-66 (2.75-in. rocket motor cases) (6.99 cm)

Minuteman rocket motor igniter cases

Space motor fairings, interstages and skirt extensions

SCBA Tanks and High Pressure Cylinders

Sporting Goods

Medical Industry

Sailboat Industry

Hydrogen Tanks for fuel cell cars

 

Neat resin

Tg (RDS G”): 255°F (123.89°C)
Tensile strength: 10.5 ksi
Tensile modulus: 406 ksi
Elongation: 4.6%
Density (cured): 1.208 g/cc

 

Typical composite properties (AS4D/UF3325; fiber volume = 60%)

Tg (RDS G”): 255°F (123.89°C)
Tensile strength: 315 ksi
Tensile modulus: 21.7 msi
Elongation: 1.3%
NOL short beam shear: 7.6 ksi

 

Typical pressure vessel hoop fiber strength translations: 80 to 95%