Chemists from the Moscow State University have developed a new polymer composite material having a higher strength than titanium or aircraft aluminum, which paves the way for the creation of ultra-light aircraft and satellites, according to an article published in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science, and European Polymer Journal. This RIA Novosti reported.

“Now the temperature range of the application of polymer composites is not more than 150C for the most common materials and up to 250 degrees Celsius – for heat-resistant. We have developed materials suitable for use at temperatures up to 450C, having at the same time the simplicity of processing, comparable with the most common in applying for these goals epoxy resins “, – said Boris Bulgakov, one of the creators of the material from the Moscow State University.

All modern aircraft, as they say, scientists, today for the most part are not made of metal, and from a variety of plastics, composites, and other materials with high strength and at the same time weighing not so much as duralumin, Titanal and other “aircraft” alloys . For example, the Boeing 787 airliner comprises approximately half of materials such as F-22 fighter US contains 39% titanium and 24% polymer composites and 16% aluminum.

Many of such materials are polymer compounds consisting of two components – the so-called reinforcing agents that increase the strength of the material, and the polymer itself directly holding the insertion of such additives in place. Such materials are more expensive than aluminum or titanium, but they are much more durable and easier to work with these technologies.

The main problem of polymer composites as Bulgakov says, is that they are not capable of withstanding high temperatures, which is why the engines, even the most “advanced” aircraft ever made entirely of metal. Replacing these parts on the heat-resistant plastic, the scientists say, will significantly reduce the weight of the engine and simplify their design.

Russian scientists have found a way to solve this problem by creating a new basis for polymer composites based on two relatively simple units – propargyl unsaturated hydrocarbons and nitrogen compounds and benzene, which are usually made of orange paint. The combination of these substances can be converted into ductile polymer that can withstand heat up to about 400 degrees Celsius without damaging its structure.

The most important feature of this material is that it is quite easy and has a low melt viscosity, which allows the composite materials of ways rather cheap compared to other heavy-duty composite applied in industry today. This is how scientists hope will help their development in the aviation industry to penetrate faster.

Experimental batches of the material synthesized in the laboratory of the University of Moscow, is now being tested at the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM), Tchaikovsky Baranova, in the Kazan National Research named after AN Technical University Tupolev (KAI) and other organizations.