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Title: Hard surfaced polymeric materials by ion beam processing

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:527410
 [1];  [2]
  1. Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
  2. Delphi Energy and Engine Management Systems, Flint, MI (United States)

Initially, both General Motors and Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. were interested in altering the surface properties of polymers using ion beam technologies. Specifically, GM wished to treat the nylon that is used to encapsulate automotive assemblies so that it would be impervious to the alcohols and ethers used in present day blends of gasoline. Fuel oxygenates such as methanol can rapidly permeate the nylon encapsulant and tend to corrode the components within the assemblies. Once the CRADA was initiated, GM learned about the cleaning/decontamination expertise that was available at the Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant. Because GM was also interested in solving contamination issues related to these assemblies, GM worked with Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc. to amend the CRADA to include such issues. Y-12 was eager to share its environmentally friendly, cleaning/decontamination expertise and also to expand upon its knowledge in this area. GM provided funds into the CRADA in order to address these contamination issues. Further on into the CRADA, GM put even more emphasis on the decontamination issues. This change in direction resulted because of rapid progress on the decontamination issues and, secondly, because GM changed its component material from nylon to the highly impervious polyphenylene sulfide.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant (Y-12), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OS21400
OSTI ID:
527410
Report Number(s):
Y/AMT-424; ON: DE97008284; CRN: C/Y-12--93-0193; TRN: AHC29720%%2
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: 27 Sep 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English