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COMPRESSIVE SURFACE STRENGTHENING OF WHISKER REINFORCED COMPOSITES

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 17766
Amount: $50,000.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1992
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
7960 S. Kolb Road
Tucson, AZ 85706
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Lori Leaskey
 (602) 574-1980
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHISKER REINFORCED STRUCTURAL CERAMICS WITH SUPERIOR MECHANICAL PROPERTIES HAS BEEN LIMITED BY STRENGTH CONTROLLING FLAWS WHICH ARE OFTEN PRESENT ON THE SURFACE. THE PRESENCE OF A COMPRESSIVE SURFACE LAYER IS KNOWN TO BE EFFECTIVE IN PREVENTING GROWTH OF THESE FLAWS. HOWEVER, TECHNIQUES WHICH HAVE HERETOFORE BEEN UTILIZED HAVE BEEN INEFFECTIVE IN THAT THE IMPROVEMENT IN MECHANICAL PROPERTIES IS NOT MAINTAINED TO HIGH TEMPERATURES AND THE PROCESSING EMPLOYED IS PRONE TO INTRODUCING ADDITIONAL FLAWS. THE TECHNIQUE PROPOSED HERE HAS NEITHER OF THESE DISADVANTAGES AND RESULTS IN IMPROVEMENTS IN BOTH STRENGTH AND FRACTURE TOUGHNESS TO AT LEAST 1400¿C. THIS PROCESS INVOLVES THE CONTROLLED OXIDATION OF A1(2)0(3)-ZRO(2)-SIC(W) COMPOSITES TO PRODUCE A COMPRESSIVE SURFACE LAYER ON A SAMPLE OF ANY SIZE OR SHAPE. PRESSURELESS SINTERING OF THESE COMPOSITES WILL BE INVESTIGATED SO THAT FABRICATION OF HIGH STRENGTH COMPLEX SHAPE STRUCTURAL CERAMICS WILL BE POSSIBLE. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS/POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS - THE DEVELOPMENT OF A PROCESS TO ENHANCE THE PROPERTIES OF CERAMIC COMPOSITES AND INCREASE THEIR RELIABILITY WILL RESULT IN THE WIDESPREAD USE OF CERAMICS AND COMPOSITES. APPLICATIONS FOR THESE SUPERIOR PROPERTY COMPOSITES WILL INCLUDE ARMORS, HEAT ENGINE COMPONENTS, AND LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE PARTS FOR AEROSPACE APPLICATIONS.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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