Secondary Interlayer and Fiber/Matrix Bonding for Optimized Continuous Fiber Printing

The U.S. Air Force is seeking innovative solutions for the development of new thermoplastic resin chemistries and processing techniques aimed at enhancing interlaminar adhesion and fiber/matrix bonding in Continuous Fiber Additive Manufacturing (CFAM) processes. The objective is to address significant material challenges that currently limit the adoption of CFAM technology, particularly for the production of Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) unmanned aircraft, by improving the performance of materials used in these manufacturing processes. This opportunity is part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, with proposals due by May 21, 2025, and aims to validate solutions that can achieve at least 80% of the properties of aerospace-grade polymer matrix composites. Interested parties can find more information and submit proposals through the official SBIR website.