A New Radiation Resistant Epoxy Resin System for Liquid Impregnation Fabrication of Composite Insulation--Eltron Research, Inc., 4600 Airport Boulevard, Boulder, CO 80301-3241; 303-530-0263
Dr. James B. Schutz, Principal Investigator
Ms. Eileen E. Sammells, Business Official
DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-99ER82782
Amount: $749,980

Superconducting magnet coils are a major component of fusion plasma experiment devices. The electrical insulation in these magnet coils is typically 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 electrical and 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 resin formulation that exhibits good processing characteristics and reduced radiation outgassing. The formulation will be systematically optimized to further enhance processing properties, cryogenic mechanical strength, electrical characteristics, and radiation tolerance. In Phase I, epoxy resin, hardener and modifiers were selected based their radiation tolerance, processing characteristics, and mechanical performance. Phase II will fully characterize the properties of the optimized formulation, including critical cryogenic composite mechanical and electrical properties as well as the effects of radiation. The suitability of the formulation will be demonstrated by impregnation and evaluation of a large article that closely simulates the fabrication of a large magnet coil.

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.