Project Title:

Micron and Submicron Sized High Temperature Polymer Spheres

  94-1		02.06		3200

  Micron and Submicron Sized High Temperature Polymer Spheres

Abstract:

The aerospace community is in the process of designing 
vehicles for high supersonic flight regimes for programs such 
as High Speed Research, the High Speed Civil Transport and the 
National Aerospace Plane. Current particles employed for flow 
pattern and velocity determinations do not meet the 
requirements of these and similar high speed programs. Foster-
Miller proposes to generate high temperature polymeric 
particles by the rapid and complete conversion of a soluble 
precursor polymer to an insoluble polymer; resulting in 
formation of spherical and monodispersed polymeric particles 
whose average size can be selectively varied from 0.2 to 2.0 
~m. High temperature particles have been produced from polymer 
systems like poly(aryl ketones), poly(aryl sulfides) and 
poly(aryl ketone sulfones). Foster-Miller will refine and 
expand this concept to produce high temperature polymeric 
particles suitable for supersonic flow visualization.
In Phase 1, we will demonstrate the feasibility of generating 
high temperature micron and submicron sized particles by 
rapidly converting soluble precursor to insoluble polymers. We 
are working in conjunction with Dr. J.S. Riftle of VPI&SU, 
whose research has demonstrated this concept, Boeing and Bangs 
Laboratories, a commercial firm currently producing particles 
for special applications. In Phase II, two systems will be 
selected for col-version process optimization. One polymer 
system will then be scaled-up to produce sufficient quantities 
for wind tunnel testing.

The intensifying high supersonic flight research is being 
carried out in civilian and military sectors both inside and 
outside this country. Substantial quantities of particles will 
be required to support this research. Alternative commercial 
applications such as powder coated prepreg tows for 
composites, molding, painting and coating would benefit 
significantly from this research. The use of powders rather 
than systems containing solvents or dispersants in these areas 
would also limit emmisions of Volatile Organic Compounds and 
thus make these processes more environmentally acceptable.

Key Words

Foster-Miller, Inc.
350 Second Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154-1196