One of the areas where composite materials are increasingly being used as replacements for conventional materials is in high temperature applications. Ceramic or metal Matrix Composites have become popular in applications that require high-temperature resistance. Their high costs of fabrication have limited their usage.

This research, however, focused on the needs of the aerospace industry in connection with the use of high temperature polymer matrix composites for structural components in the vicinity of power units.

In this project, the partners investigated the issues related to the processing of high temperature resin systems using the resin infusion process, especially the vacuum assisted resin infusion (VARI) system, a cost-effective method for manufacturing composite materials. Various initial trials helped to understand the polymeric resin systems (epoxy, cyanate ester, benzoxazine, bismaleimid, and their blends, etc.), dynamics of the used VARI and Quickstep (an out-of-autoclave, OoA) process and identify critical factors and key parameters. Based on the material selection and process screening, various laminates were tested for mechanical properties and thermal properties and the results will be compared with the requirements. Processing investigations for the eco-friendly manufacturing concepts and optimisation of polymeric resins and their cure kinetics led to the demonstration of liquid resin infusion-OoA methodology and manufactured a set component for further analysis.

This investigation ended with the recommendation on serial production and automation of the processes.