Electron Beam Gun for In-Situ Curing of Composite Tape

Science Research Laboratory, Inc.

Somerville, MA

The portable electron beam (EB) gun allows in-situ EB curing of automated tape-placed composite parts for aircraft and rocket fuel tanks. The technology can significantly reduce costs when compared to curing in an autoclave.
The technology also enables the curing of parts that cannot fit in existing autoclaves, with only minimal modifications to existing facilities.

• Small lightweight EB gun developed for attachment to automated tape placement (ATP) systems. Higher power EB guns also available.
• EB-curable materials developed for curing and bonding of aerospace and automotive composites.Phase III sales achieved during Phase II.
• Multiple inquiries for purchase by U.S. and international companies.

• Portable electron gun is light and small enough to be mounted on a robotic arm or an ATP head, yet delivers a high-power beam for part fabrication
• Significantly smaller, lighter, and costs less than competing systems. An ATP system with EB-ATP can lay down tape at up to 50 feet per minute, yet requires only portable x-ray shielding, thereby reducing facility costs.Useful for aircraft composite and rocket tank fabrication
• Orders already received by six months into Phase II program.
• Automotive composite curing and bonding is a potentially huge market. Program with Chrysler underway to develop materials and processes.
• New company formed for marketing and sales of electron equipment and materials: Electron Solutions Inc. of Somerville, MA.

• Composite curing and bonding for NASA RLV cryotank applications.
• Demonstration and improvement of composite properties is required in remainder of Phase II program. NASA and Boeing will use EB-ATP for aerospace composite curing.
• Potential multimillion-dollar savings for RLV cryotank fabrication. Air Force is also interested in the technology for the Space Operations Vehicle.

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