Structure and Performance of Benzoxazine Composites for Space Radiation Shielding

Abstract

Innovative multifunctional materials that combine structural functionality with other spacecraft subsystem functions have been identified as a key enabling technology for future deep space missions. In this work, we report the structure and performance of multifunctional polymer matrix composites developed for aerospace applications that require both structural functionality and space radiation shielding. Composites comprised of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber reinforcement and a hydrogen-rich polybenzoxazine matrix are prepared using a low-pressure vacuum bagging process. The polybenzoxazine matrix is derived from a novel benzoxazine resin that possesses a unique combination of attributes: high hydrogen concentration for shielding against galactic cosmic rays (GCR), low polymerization temperature to prevent damage to UHMWPE fibers during composite fabrication, long shelf-life, and low viscosity to improve flow during molding. Dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) is used to study rheological and thermomechanical properties. Composite mechanical properties, obtained using several standardized tests, are reported. Improvement in composite stiffness, through the addition of carbon fiber skin layers, is investigated. Radiation shielding performance is evaluated using computer-based simulations. The composites demonstrate clear advantages over benchmark materials in terms of combined structural and radiation shielding performance.

Experimental and Simulation Study on Shielding Performance of Developed Hydrogenous Composites

“…However, the BN fillers used in these composites suffered from the lack of interfacial adhesion with the HDPE matrix, leading to a limited improvement or even decay of physical and radiation shielding properties of the HDPE/BN composites [26]. Other polymers such as low-density PE (LDPE), epoxy, polystyrene, and polyimide were also considered as the nuclear protective matrices [15,[27][28][29][30]. These studies indicated that general composites are difficult to meet the environmental conditions of radiation, temperature, and mechanics in space at the same time.…”

Improved toughening diamine‐based polybenzoxazines constructed by controllable curing in polyhexahydrotriazine interpenetrating polymer networks

“…Due to their superior performances, PBZs are widely used in the aerospace, defense and transportation industries. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20] However, numerous disadvantages, including brittleness and difficulties in film-forming, limit the range of applications for PBZs.…”

“…Polybenzoxazines (PBZs) are attractive composite matrix resins with a number of desirable characteristics, including molecular design flexibility, high thermal stability and so on. Due to their superior performances, PBZs are widely used in the aerospace, defense and transportation industries 8–20 . However, numerous disadvantages, including brittleness and difficulties in film‐forming, limit the range of applications for PBZs.…”

Development of an Atomic-Oxygen-Erosion-Resistant, Alumina-Fiber-Reinforced, Fluorinated Polybenzoxazine Composite for Low-Earth Orbital Applications

“…Benzoxazines are also chemically stable and highly tailorable through reagents, making them suitable for numerous advanced applications. Taking advantage of the versatile molecular design flexibility of benzoxazines, polybenzoxazines specifically designed for space applications have been reported [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. The aim of the current paper was to develop a polybenzoxazine-based composite system that is resistant to atomic-oxygen erosion for low-Earth orbital applications.…”