Issued patent
Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) 370 Resin for High-Temperature Applications
An issued NASA patent from the Technology Transfer catalog.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA's Glenn Research Center have developed a Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) imide resin known as RTM370 that is generated using a revolutionary, solvent-free process. Its many desirable properties earned it a prestigious R&D 100 Award in 2017. RTM370 has a high glass transition temperature (T g = 370°C), low-melt viscosity (20 to 30 poise), and long shelf life (up to 2 hours). It can perform at temperatures exceeding 300°C. It melts at 260 to 280°C and can be cured at 340 to 370°C without releasing any harmful or volatile compounds. It is suitable for composite fabrication by injection molding, RTM, resin film infusion (RFI), or vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Furthermore, carbon fiber filled RTM370 is adaptable to additive manufacturing and can be printed into composite parts by laser sintering - a major breakthrough in high-temperature composite fabrication. These cutting-edge carbon fiber composites can replace any metallic part, providing high-quality, lightweight materials to a variety of industries at low-cost.