The collaboration began in 2018, aiming to address material bottlenecks in the thermal protection system of next-generation launch vehicle engines. A joint research team of 42 experts from both parties, over three years, successfully developed a new composite material capable of long-term operation in high-temperature environments exceeding 1000°C, surpassing similar NASA products.

This collaborative project set several industry records: The R&D team innovatively employed a combination of molecular structure design and nano-reinforcement. By introducing a phenylacetylene endcapping agent and synergistically reinforced silicon carbide nanowires, they raised the material's thermal decomposition temperature to over 650°C, achieving 85% high-temperature strength retention. In terms of process innovation, they developed a unique solution infusion-step curing molding process, overcoming the narrow processing window of traditional polyimide resins and enabling the composite material's porosity to be controlled below 1%. This material has been successfully used in the engine nozzle extension section of the Long March 5B launch vehicle, withstanding the rigors of actual flight missions.

In terms of industrialization, the 500-ton annual production line jointly built by the two parties in Dongying, Shandong, commenced operation in 2021, marking the transition from laboratory-scale to large-scale production. This world-leading polyimide composite production line innovatively utilizes a DCS intelligent control system, enabling precise control of process parameters and achieving product batch stability exceeding 99.5%. More notably, the project team also developed material recycling technology. Through a specialized solvent recovery process, this technology achieves a waste recycling rate of over 70%, significantly reducing production costs.

The success of this collaborative project is due to a unique collaborative innovation mechanism. CASC provided detailed operating requirements and technical standards, while Sinopec leveraged its strengths in chemical raw materials and process engineering. The joint laboratory established by the two parties is equipped with R&D equipment valued at 230 million yuan, including a domestically developed high-temperature and high-pressure material performance testing platform. Regarding intellectual property, the collaboration resulted in 56 invention patents, including 12 international PCT patents, establishing a comprehensive patent protection network. Of the over 80 professionals trained by the project, six have been selected for the "Ten Thousand Talents Plan," forming a robust talent pipeline.

The project's exemplary impact continues to manifest. The research and development results have been applied to key defense areas such as aircraft engine combustion chamber liners and hypersonic vehicle thermal protection systems, and are beginning to expand into civilian applications such as electronic packaging and nuclear power equipment. In 2023, the two parties launched research and development of second-generation materials, focusing on material stability in ultra-high-temperature environments of 1500°C. This case vividly illustrates the innovative model of deep integration of "industry, academia, research, and application," providing a successful model for addressing the bottleneck of my country's high-end composite materials. Through deep collaboration across the entire supply chain, China's composite materials industry is accelerating its progress towards the high end of the value chain.