The purpose of this project is to explore a manufacturing process for a high strength fiber reinforced composite with protein based polymer matrix. The major advantages of the new composite include: Compared to the petroleum based polymer, which is widely used in fiber reinforced composites, the protein based polymer is tough and ductile. These are the key factors affecting impact strength. It should be expected that the protein based polymer composite would absorb more energy created by collision and have a greater impact strength than the petroleum based composite. The manufacturing process proposed for the new composite is environmentally friendly. Little toxic chemical materials will be involved in the manufacturing process. The cost of the protein polymer is relatively low. There are abundant natural resources for the protein polymer, such as soybean and various grains in the U.S. Protein polymer has never been combined with high strength fibers to manufacture composites. Therefore, a preliminary study is necessary. During the preliminary research period,all the polymer behaviors related to manufacturing process will be examined and a test run of the prepregging process will be carried out. The outcome will determine the feasibility of developing a high strength fibrous composite with a protein polymer. By the end of the project period, a follow up proposal will be submitted. The research conducted following the proposed planning period will include two phases. Phase I concerns each step of the manufacturing process and its effect on the mechanical properties. An effective strategy will be proposed for the development of the manufacturing process of the new composite. In phase II static, dynamic and impact tests will be conducted to examine the properties of the new composite, particularly the toughness and impact strength. composite. An inexpensive high toughness composite will have a big potential market in the automobile, civil engine. This is the first employment of a protein based polymer as the matrix of a high strength, light weight composite. An inexpensive high toughness composite will have a big potential market in the automobile, civil engineering and infrastructure fields. However, this research is still in a fundamental stage.
