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Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with a university, has been awarded a research program from the U.S. Army to create high energy density prepolymers, plasticizers, and curatives that enable Additive Manufacturing (AM) practices that are scalable.

The Army needs energetic formulations suitable for AM. One approach is to tailor energetic prepolymers and plasticizers to enable rapid curing. This would lower manufacturing costs, increase manufacturing throughput as well as increase the range and lethality of the system into which it is incorporated. To date, the problem with energetic polymers and additive manufacturing is existing polymers that are amenable to AM practices are not energetic, and the inert polymers that are amenable to AM suffer from poor mechanical properties and thermal stability.
PSI’s novel processes will use emergent technologies that will enable rapid, scalable and low-cost production. PSI will work with DoD primes to advance the TRL and transition the technology into commercial production.

If successful, high energy density polymer systems amenable for AM can be applied to various military applications that include propellants and explosives. This is also applicable to civilian applications such as the construction, mining, and space industries.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Peter Warren
Executive Vice President, Materials Division
pwarren@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003