*** 9761329 Yializis This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes a new nanostructural fabrication process for the production of high strength ceramic-polymer nanolaminate materials. A patented ultra high speed polymer deposition process allows the formation, in a vacuum environment, of self supported multilayer structures with thousands of nanosize inorganic and polymer layers. The polymer materials are highly cross-linked radiation cured mutlifunctional acrylate monomers tht have high thermal and mechanical stability. The inorganic layers can be ceramic layers that include materials such as alumina, silica, zirconia, and titania. Crystal nucleation and grain growth of the ceramic layers can be influenced by functionalization of the polymer materials. The proposed investigation will systematically explore the limits of this new process with particular focus on the mechanical material properties. In the phase I work, materials such as alumina/polymer and silica/polymer will be processed into nanolaminate composites and the mechanical properties of composites with varying ceramic layer thickness and ceramic / polymer thickness ratios will be compared to basic bulk material properties. The phase II wok will seek further optimization and in-depth testing of materials for specific industrial applications. High strength, lightweight, abrasion resistant ceramic-polymer composites may have a range of applications that includes components for aircraft, automobiles, protective materials for corrosive and oxidative environments, and biocompatible orthopedic components. ***
