Site: National Research Institute of Materials and Chemical Research (NIMC)
Structure Technology Dept.
MITI/AIST
1-1-4, Higashi, Tsukuba-shi
Ibaraki-ken 305, Japan

Date Visited: December 10, 1992

Report Author: D. Granville

ATTENDEES

JTEC:

D. Granville
V. Karbhari

HOSTS:

Ryuichi Hayashi - Director, Structure Technology Dept.

BACKGROUND

A major reorganization of MITI labs and overhaul/reexamination of objectives in all technology/industrial projects funded by MITI was planned for 1993. Projects typically run approximately eight years. At the half-way point of the project, a full evaluation occurs (a major review) to warrant further funding. Also, two reports are given per year as part of the review process. In addition, a symposium is held annually to review all projects, with papers published in the proceedings.

MITI receives proposals from universities, national institutes, and industry for review and selection by Technical Committees for each technology (six year cycle).

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Two national projects:

1. R&D on Composite Materials, 1981-1988

2. R&D of Hi-Performance Materials for Severe Environments, 1989-1996; approximately 200 researchers are involved, includes work with c/c, intermetallics, and fiber-reinforced IMC matrix composites.

Table NIMC.1
Budgets
(Yen Million)

Japan was the host of the Joint Symposium of Japan-Euro Exchange on Composite Materials and High Performance Materials for Severe Environments in June 1993.

Fiber reinforced TiAl IMC composites at NIMC are now using Textron SiC (CVD) fibers and in the future will use Japanese Nicalon or Tyrano fibers to optimize prop's in composite development. Research work is also done in cooperation with American universities and institutions such as Georgia Tech.

NIMC has the VAMAS Projects (polymer composites) with ISO and JIS, including

• Gas sensors project for environmental monitoring using nano-composites
• EMI-shielding materials in composites
• Polymer conductive paints, use of carbon fiber & mica

SUMMARY

Most of the discussion covered the organization's background and structure, and its university and industrial participants. Present funded work covers much of the fundamental characterization, surface analysis work, and testing of c/c and intermetallics, as well as the evaluation of carbon fiber reinforced TPs. A tour was provided of their mechanical test lab, where a crack propagation and compliance experiment was in progress on an Instron machine to evaluate T800/epoxy & PEEK laminates (materials to be used on the Boeing 777). Also, a robotics lab, olfactory lab, and depth perception lab were briefly presented to demonstrate their interest in addressing artificial means of developing human sensory perception.

A processing lab with a Japanese-made autoclave (up to 350øC, 300 psi pressure) and a 2' x 2' compression press capable of very fast cool-down rates (for evaluating crystallinity growth and size of TPs) was also visited.

REFERENCES

Bathias, Claude and Masuji Uemura, editors. "Advanced Composite Materials: New Materials, Applications, Processing, Evaluation and Databases," Proceedings of the 1st France-Japan Seminar on Composite Materials, Paris-Le Bourget (March 13-14, 1990). Paris:SIRPE