CompositesWorld's High-Performance Resins 2010 conference, Sept. 23-24 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Ill., will feature a preconference seminar that sets the groundwork for the rest of the event with an introduction to high-temperature resins and a presentation on polymer-derived ceramics.
"Introduction to High-Temperature Resins," given by composites consultant Carl Zweben, provides an overview of key high-temperature thermoset and thermoplastic resins. Characteristics are compared with traditional low-temperature polymers. Resins categories covered include: unsaturated polyester (UP), epoxy (EP), toughened epoxy, bismaleimide (BMI), toughened bismaleimide, cyanate ester (CE), phenolic, polyimide (PI), polyurethane (PU), phenylethylnyl terminated imide (PETI) and phthalo nitrile (PN), polyetherketoneketone (PEKK), polyetherimide (PEI), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyamideimide (PAI), and polyether amide (PEAR). Effects of moisture are discussed. High-temperature polymer matrix composite applications are presented.
"Introduction to Preceramic Polymers," by Alexander Lukacs, director of technology at KiON Defense Technologies, will provide an overview of the main categories of preceramic polymers and their applications, with an emphasis on silicon-based preceramic polymers that pyrolyze to non-oxide ceramics. Also described will be some unique situations where certain preceramic polymers are actually used as the matrix material in very high temperature-stable PMCs (>500°C/930°F) or in concert with high-performance organic polymers to enhance their high-temperature durability.
Among the companies presenting during the conference itself are UBE Industries, Henkel, Lewcott, Ticona, Bell Helicopter, Raytheon, NASA Glenn Research Center, Arkema, Huntsman, Kaneka, Maverick and others.