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A New Radiation Resistant Epoxy Resin System for Liquid Impregnation Fabrication of Composite Insulation--Eltron Research, Inc., 5660 Airport Blvd., Boulder, CO 80301-2340; 303-440-8008
Dr. James B. Schutz, Principal Investigator
Ms. Eileen E. Sammells, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82782
Amount: $99,997
Superconducting magnet coils are a major component of fusion plasma experiment devices. The electrical insulation in these magnet coils is an epoxy matrix composite, which must exhibit good mechanical strength and radiation resistance at cryogenic temperatures. The liquid epoxy must also have good processing characteristics for impregnating the magnet coils. Current epoxy systems do not combine good processing characteristics with mechanical strength and radiation resistance. Another major problem is the release of gases by the epoxy material during irradiation. This project will develop an epoxy/hardener system which exhibits good processing characteristics and reduced radiation outgassing. The formulation will be systematically optimized to further enhance processing properties and cryogenic mechanical strength. In Phase I, the effects of several modifiers on radiation outgassing and processing characteristics of the basic epoxy/hardener system will be evaluated. Promising modifiers will be selected for inclusion in a systematic optimization to further enhance mechanical properties and processing characteristics. The optimized formulation will be subjected to further characterization, including radiation outgassing measurements.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The epoxy resin formulation should find use as electrical insulation for cryogenic superconducting magnet systems, particularly those which will be subjected to irradiation. The formulation also should be of interest for cryogenic composite structural applications, as well as for commercial, industrial, and aerospace composites fabricated by liquid impregnation methods such as Resin Transfer Molding.