Increasing numbers of space applications are demanding chemically stable, high modulus, low thermal expansion and thermally and electrically conductive structures. structures formed from wires containing a combination of high-modulus graphite fibers in a metal matrix of either aluminum or magnesium… More

A methodology is presented which will establish the feasibility of dispersing particulate reinforcement in aluminum matrices to form composite material. the method to be employed is unique in that it utilizes liquid aluminum, rather than powder metallurgy dispersal techniques, and is thus… More

Graphite/magnesium composites are ideal fro space structuresbecause of their low cte, high stiffness and strength, low density, and lack of outgassing or moisture asorption. although these materials are being fabricated into long straight sections, no method has been available to join these sections… More

The advanced rotary engine has the potential for high efficiency and durability due to its low number of movable parts, compactness, and extremely high horsepower-to- weight ratio. this project can assume that an automotive version of the rotary engine can be modified and developed for use in… More

Several new classes of low density, high strength, high modulus yarns and fibers suitable for reinforcing metal matrix composites have emerged within the last decade; amongst these are the graphite yarns, the silicon carbide fibers and yarns. unfortunately, these yarns are not readily wetted by… More

Satellites and space structures utilizing graphite/metal matrix composites will require high modulus, low density thermally stable joints. one candidate material is chopped (discontinuous) gr/a1. this program will investigate the fabrication characteristics and measure the thermal and mechanical… More

The objective of this effort is to utilize a unique in-house quartz fiber production facility to produce fine-denier (800/1/0 to 900/1/0) quartz fiber suitable for use in printed wiring boards. the use of this fiber in high density, multilaminate printed wiring boards would allow increased package… More

To extend the electromagnetic shielding effectiveness data to an upper limit of 2 ghz, woven and braided fibers which have been made conductive will be developed and tested. fabrics will be made from such materials as kevlar, fiberglass, dacron, graphite, and hybrids of these materials. metal… More

A new conductive material, metallized kevlar, will be examined for use as a tether material in space applications. this proprietary metallization process will be examined in regard not only to rendering the kevlar conductive, but also in regard to protection of the kevlar from attack by atomic… More

The proposed effort will establish the feasibility of producing hollow quartz filament suitable for use as reinforcement in high performance printed wiring board applications. if successful the effort will produce and fiber suitable for reinforcing a polymide resin system with the potential of… More

Graphite fibers are an extremely versatile reinforcement material, since they are available in both high-modulus and high-strength varieties. when combined with a metal matrix, the resultant composite materials exhibit excellent thermal and mechanical properties. to date, most graphite/metal… More

Quartz fiber reinforced polymide laminates used for high density, high performance pwb applications suffer from the poor machinability of the quartz fiber. during quartz/polymide pwb manufacture thousands of holes may be drilled. if expensive carbide tooling is replaced every ten "hits", as is… More

Recent developments in the automotive industry have demonstrated that discontinuous ceramic fiber reinforcement can be incorporated in a metal matrix by the relatively simple and inexpensive process of squeeze casting. the objective of this program is to upgrade this technology to produce materials… More

This program will center on developing a fabric array system which will have the dual capabilities of suppressing thermal (ir) and radar signatures for combat troops, equipment, and shelters. research will center on identifying and quantifying dual thermal coatings (a highly reflective coating and a… More

Material concepts, inc. will attempt to develop a two-dimensional ir decoy system using metal-coated fabrics which can be resistively heated to generate the proper ir signatures. such a system will be lightweight, easy to transport, could be easily mass produced at an attractive unit cost, and would… More

Because of advances in integrated circuit use and manufacture, newer logic and memory chips are more powerful and hence give off more heat. difficulties have been encountered in bonding aluminum chip carriers to aluminum support structures, because the difference in thermal expansion (cte) of these… More

Niobium nitride (nbn) materials are attractive candidates for very high field magnets. nbn materials have high critical current densities, low sensitivities to strain degradation effects, and good radiation resistance. multifilament graphite fiber is an ideal substrate on which to deposit nbn… More