This proposal presents a program for the structural evaluations of composite laminates containing high strain graphite fibers and compatible resin systems. the failure analysis methodology will involve the development of lamina allowables based on fiber and matrix properties. the laminate failure… More

A research program is designed to determine whether economically attractive weave constructions for the reinforcement of composites have the potential for inhibiting intralaminar transverse failure modes. both transverse tension and transverse shear failure modes will be investigated. systematic… More

Metal matrix composites (mmc) appear very promising for use in thermally stable satellite structures. high specific moduli and low thermal expansion appear to make these materials ideal for satellite application. extreme thermal stability requirements for satellite sensor mounting structure requires… More

A technical research program aimed at developing an analytical procedure for investigating the damage produced in composite plates, due to low velocity impact, is proposed. the method outlined in this proposal utilizes a higher order, shear flexible, plate bending finite element. this element… More

The proposed research program is directed towards improving the damping of automotive structural and mechanical components. this is accomplished by exploiting the stress coupling of anisotropic composite material structural subsystems for use in laminated constructions. the subsystem is a sandwich… More

A study is proposed to develop guidelines for the extension of the technology of weaving triaxial fabrics to provide woven structures having through-the-thickness-running yarns in addition to in-plane triaxial constructions. related works are cited to show that such woven structtures used as… More

Current carbon fibers exist with moduli up to 140 msi or strengths approaching 1 msi. these two exceptional properties do not exist simultaneously within any fiber however. typically, high modulus fibers exhibit low strength while high strength fibers exhibit low modulus. the thrust of the proposed… More

This program will develop a material specifically for joining highly mis-matched materials for high velocity missiles. it will be demonstrated that graphite fiber reinforced metal matrix composite materials can be produced with tailorable thermal expansion properties within a panel. a material which… More

Modeling will be performed for (i) effects of anisotropy and nonhomogeneity on the three-dimensional stress field near shallow surface cuts in thick laminates for the prediction of first ligament failure; and (ii) growth of delaminations near surface flaws in laminated plates and shells under… More

The objective of this phase i study is to establish the feasibility of designing and fabricating a roadway surfacing system of composite materials. the study will be conducted in several steps. preliminary design tradeoff studies will identify the best materials and geometric configurations.… More

An attempt will be made to characterize fracture behavior and toughness of selected metal matrix systems with the help of (i) semi-empirical methods and elastic analyses developed over the last decade for laminated systems where plastic zone size is small, (ii) accurate and approximate elastoplastic… More

Test specimen designs for determining in-plane shear properties of fiber reinforced composites will be reviewed and a few will be selected for detailed elastic stress analyses based on this review. 2-d analyses will be performed for a number of material configurations and types with due… More

Currently used anisotropic yield criteria for unidirectional fiber reinforced composites under multiaxial stress states will be critically reviewed for modeling elastroplastic and pseudo-plastic responses of metal and organix matrix composites, respectively. use of micromechanics based models will… More

The object of this phase i study is to establish the feasibility of modeling solid propellants, consisting of energetic binders containingvarious filler materials, as particulate composites and using existing methods for composite property analysis. interactions of constituents will be studied to… More

A technical research program directed towards the study of high energy density flywheels is planned. a new flywheel concept that incorporates features of both disk and rim storage flywheels will be investigated. this concept uses a number of concentric but separate composite rings as the primary… More

Carbon-carbon composites are being considered as future satellite materials because they exhibit high stiffness, low density, near zero thermal expansions, and excellent thermal shock resistance. these satellites must be designed to withstand attacks from laser, nuclear and kinetic energy weapons.… More

The acoustoelastic response of composites is expected to depend on the acoustoelastic properties of the phases as well as the residual and applied stresses in each phase of the composite. the proposed research aims at obtaining analytical relationships of this dependence in two phase media with… More

Analytical studies will be performed for obtaining dispersion relations between wave velocities and wave lengths for plate wave motions in laminated plates made of oriented transversely isotropic fiber composite layers. group velocities, mode shapes, stress amplitudes and direction of energy flux… More

Composites have matured to a point where different forms of hybrids are being manufactured so that the best characteristics of each constituent may be utilized for critical applications. failure modes and characteristics of hybrid composites and laminates are influenced by the constituents within… More

Incorporation of constrained layer damping techniques into advanced polymer and metal matrix composite materials offer numerous advantages for reducing weight and enhancing the vibration and noise damping characteristics of navy gearcases. the successful incorporation of these materials into the… More

Carbon-carbon (c-c) composites are an attractive class of materials for space system components. they posses high stiffness and strength to density ratios, high thermal conductivity, near zero thermal expansions, and excellent thermal shock resistance. these materials, however, due to the nature of… More

This project will develop an analytical model capable of predicting failure of carbon-carbon (c-c) materials. the model will build upon the firm's in-house c-c analysis codes and will develop demonstrated capability to predict failure of c-c composites. in particular, methods for analyzing c-c… More

e interpretation of the NDE signals.

The development of an intelligent database management system permits addressing two problems with polumer and polymer matrix composite materials data. the data need a database to serve as a focal point for archiving and reference. in addition, frequently a complete set of data from a material is not… More

Fiber reinforced ceramics for future generation radomes and suitable nondestructive test methods for their evaluation will be considered. Types, sizes, locations of possible flaws and anomalies in fiber architecture and other microstructural details of materials in use and of new materials under… More

The Chemical Vapor Infiltration (CVI) process for the manufacture of ceramic matrix composites (CMC's) has a number of inherent advantages over other methods: benign, low temperature process; stoichiometric matrices; complex shape and large scale production potential. The basic process is also… More

The opportunity represented by this proposal is to reduce the weight and fabrication costs of the V-22 Osprey cockpit cage by introducing weight efficient composites into the design of this component. As the trend towards advanced aircraft continues, weight savings becomes a critical parameter in… More

The primary structural requirement of V-22 fuselage panels is to retain integrity in a post-buckled state under panel compression and shear loads. However, during certain flight conditions, these panels are subjected to impact by high velocity ice shards (300 to 500 knots) shed from the rotor… More

The opportunity is to develop an innovative design system for composite parts with complex shapes which integrates advanced materials modeling techniques, structural optimization and automated software for manufacturing process development. the proposed program will explore the development of the… More

High temperature fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composites (CMC's) show much promise for application in current and future generation aeropropulsion systems. These materials systems possess a combination of properties: light-weight, high strength, high temperature capability, and non-brittle… More

Non eroding nozzle materials can provide significant increases in the precision of positioning systems for spacecraft, as well as for improved predictability of the behavior of these systems. The proper combination of materials and reinforcement geometries can provide low eroding material at the… More

Replacement of the heavy metallic materials with light weight composite materials in the USMC vehicle crew protection kit (CPK) presents an opportunity for large weight savings with a pay-off in increased pay load and mobility. Analytical tools were used very successfully during the design… More

The development of advanced composite materials has traditionally be en driven towards systems which promise increased strength, higher stiffness, or greater damage tolerance. However, the introduction of a new material in an airframe or missile structure is associated with a heavy cost burden.… More

Various damages develop in composite laminates. Significant load re distribution can occur due to growth of such damages. The strain energy dissipation (SED) approach and associated specimens provide a means for quick and efficient characterization of the linear and nonlinear responses at the… More

Material and structural damping is required in many applications wherein suppression of unwanted dynamic displacements can be critical. while active control can provide such suppression, the complexity and cost penalties associated with active systems reduce their attractiveness. passive material… More

Non-eroding missile control fin materials can provide significant increases in the precision of positioning systems for missiles, as well as for improved predictability of the behavior of these systems. The proper combination of materials and reinforcement geometries can provide low eroding… More

The need to minimize structural weight in meeting range and performance goals has driven the V-22 to a heavy reliance on composite materials. Among the V-22 composite structures are the pylon drive shafts which inter-connect each engine to both rotors, and allow emergency V-22 single engine… More

Flexible couplings are an integral component of rotorcraft drive systems, and are used to accommodate small axial and angular misalignments between connecting drive shafts. Composite materials offer a number of advantages over metallic materials in coupling applications in terms of increased… More

Fibers with high stiffness and strength are now being widely used in the construction of composite cylinders for rocket motor cases and launch tubes to minimize their structural mass. Experimental testing has shown that these composite materials exhibit a real susceptibility to structural damage… More

Fibers with high stiffness and strength are now being widely used in the construction of composite cylinders for rocket motor cases and launch tubes to minimize their structural mass. Experimental testing has shown that these composite materials exhibit a real susceptibility to structural damage… More

Cored fiberglass composites are currently being used as structural materials on several Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) programs. They are also viable candidates for new designs for the LPD class and DD21 surface ship platforms. The challenge imposed upon these material systems is that not… More

Vinylester resin is the workhorse of the boat and marine industry. This family of resin is low in cost, low in viscosity, chemically resistant, and possesses a cure cycle that ranges from room temperature for methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) peroxide to dicumyl peroxide for elevated cure vinylester . As… More

Simple, yet accurate engineering analytical tools will be developed for the evaluation of strength, durability and damage tolerance of composite bonded joints used in General Aviation (GA) structures with due consideration to adherend and adhesive thickness variations used (or present) in such… More

The objective of the work proposed herein is to refine and validate a fully integrated design tool for performance evaluation of armor systems consisting of ceramic front tiles and composite backplates. This tool will have applicability in the developmentof various multifunctional armor systems… More

The objective of the Phase I study is to develop a fully integrated design tool for performance evaluation of bonded/co-cured composite structures subject to ballistic and hydrodynamic loading. This tool will have the applicability in the development ofemerging military air vehicles with enhanced… More

It is expected that accelerated insertion of materials (AIM) will be facilitated through development of linked engineered material databases, that are capable of conducting quick virtual testing of new materials, that is supplemented by limited physicaltesting, rather than proceeding directly to… More

Material systems that meet the insertion loss (IL) requirements of current acoustic windows have been shown to have difficulty meeting the structural properties required for undersea operation. In this proposal, Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC)outlines a research program to develop and… More

An engineering team consisting of Materials Sciences Corporation and the University of Mississippi proposes to use detailed stress analysis and automated optimization techniques to devise novel fasteners that may be used to attach outfitting items tocomposite sandwich structures. The planned… More

The objective of the work proposed herein is to develop innovative methodologies and techniques for the use of 3D woven composites with enhanced structural and ballistic characteristics for wide ranges of armor and structural applications. A family of 3Dintegrally woven composites, which utilizes… More

"It is expected that accelerated insertion of materials (AIM) will be facilitated through development of linked engineered material databases, that are capable of conducting quick virtual testing of new materials, that is supplemented by limited physicaltesting, rather than proceeding directly to… More

"Low insertion loss material systems currently used for sonar windows have been shown to have difficulty meeting the structural properties required for undersea operation. The objective of the research program presented in this proposal is to demonstrateinnovative fiber reinforced composite… More

"Sandwich panels will be used extensively in topside structure for future Navy ships. One missing piece of technology needed for this application is a robust, easy-to-install method for attaching the myriad of outfitting items required in a ship. The MSCapproach to solving this problem is to design… More

70728 The neutron energy levels desired for the next generation of neutron choppers, used in materials science research, require rotational speeds that exceed the capabilities of traditional materials. Advanced composite materials offer the capability of obtaining the speeds desired, along… More

During the Phase I program, MSC demonstrated a powerful new software tool designed for the analysis of bonded joints in General Aviation (GA) aircraft. The tool can handle the complex geometry and boundary conditions found in typical joints, and has been shown to be exceptionally accurate. An… More

During the Phase I program, MSC demonstrated a powerful new software tool designed for the analysis of bonded joints in General Aviation (GA) aircraft. The tool can handle the complex geometry and boundary conditions found in typical joints, and has been shown to be exceptionally accurate. An… More

"A software package is needed that can efficiently model typical composite bonded and co-cured joints used in Naval ship construction. This package must be able to accurately compute the strain-energy-release-rate for user defined cracks. MaterialsSciences Corporation (MSC) has an existing code… More

The Army and other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies make extensive use of composite over-wrapped pressure vessels (COPV); applications include missile sensor cooling containers to gas storage for life-support systems. The research program outlined byMaterials Sciences Corporation (MSC) in this… More

The objective of the Phase I work is to develop simple analytical material/structural element models that characterize the deformation and damage of Naval vessel composite structures subjected to conventional weapon effects. This includes external andinternal blast and ballistic loading. This tool… More

The Army and other Department of Defense (DoD) agencies make extensive use of composite over-wrapped pressure vessels (COPV); applications include missile sensor cooling containers to gas storage for life-support systems. The program outlined by MaterialsSciences Corporation (MSC) focuses on… More

A software package is needed that can efficiently model typical composite bonded and co-cured joints used in Naval ship construction. This package must be able to accurately compute the strain-energy-release-rate for user defined cracks. During the PhaseI, Materials Sciences Corporation… More

A software package is needed that can efficiently model typical composite bonded and co-cured joints used in Naval ship construction. This package must be able to accurately compute the strain-energy-release-rate for user defined cracks. During the PhaseI, Materials Sciences Corporation… More

The goal of this SBIR project is to develop and demonstrate lightweight, low cost, drive shaft concepts for use in high performance rotating engine drive systems, with specific focus on the STOVL lift fan system. The product of Phase I of the SBIR program outlined in this proposal will be a… More

Structural vibrations and heat produced by high output turbo-machinery can adversely impact the performance of nearby personnel and contribute to costly and premature failure of equipment within the AAAV. The product of the SBIR program outlined in this proposal is a lightweight composite structural… More

Pulse echo ultrasonic waveform measurements will be used for NDE of composites for quantification of porosity. A software based on statistical and mathematical methods will be developed for identifying the time regions of interest (the echo region), denoising the signal and analyzing the processed… More

75161-Current and future DOE neutron facilities, used for materials science research, lack the reliable, high-rotating-speed, large-aperture choppers needed to deliver maximum neutron fluxes at optimal band-width resolution. The traditional practice of using monolithic metallic rotors runs into… More

The Personnel Transport Module (PTM) is a modularized structure developed by the Navy to increase the capability of the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) to transport personnel and protect occupants from the elements inherent in an amphibious environment. Improvements in the durability, corrosion… More

Advanced composite material systems have shown great promise for satisfying the future needs of Naval combatants for the next century. Specific platform goals such as lighter weight, stealth, longer service life and reduced fabrication costs have required the use of multifunctional composite… More

The proposed development effort will use novel load transfer mechanisms to significantly increase the load carrying capacity of T-joints and Cruciform-joints for composite sandwich panels. The approach is to directly transfer load using core inserts or direct tension ties between panels. Many of the… More

Conventional cargo stowage systems (CSS) aboard Navy ships employ a steel rail diagonal dunnage system that is heavy and requires extensive use of wood block fillers between the stanchions and cargo to properly secure and restrain the cargo. In order to reduce shipboard weight and maintenance… More

U.S. Navy warships of the 21st century will likely use fiber-reinforced composites in the topside structure. As a result, enhancing resistance to high-energy blast/ballistic loading has become a priority to ensure the survivability of the composite structures. Because of the wide range of design… More

The goal of this SBIR project is to develop and demonstrate lightweight, low cost, drive shaft concepts for use in high performance rotating engine drive systems, with specific focus on the STOVL life fan system. During the Phase I program, a proof-of-concept prototype tube was fabricated to… More

Solid rocket motor cases for advanced tactical missile systems use lightweight, high strength composite materials to achieve high propellant mass fractions and increase overall propulsion system efficiency. Meeting the increasingly more demanding missile and propulsion system performance goals for… More

The product of the SBIR program outlined in this proposal is a damage assessment system designed to quickly provide data on the health of a composite structure. Emphasis is placed on development of a structural damage assessment system (SDAS) that enables integration of various NDE techniques with… More

Legacy material systems (e.g., steel reinforced rubber) that meet the insertion loss (IL) requirements of current acoustic windows have been shown to have difficulty meeting the structural and damage tolerance goals associated with U.S. Navy undersea operations. Newer tuned core sandwich concepts,… More

Improved lightweight fabric materials and constructions are needed to meet the multifunctional performance requirements (e.g., high tensile strength, fatigue strength, durability, environmental resistance) for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) High Altitude Airship (HAA). The proposed research… More

The currently fielded Interceptor Body Armor System employs an Outer Tactical Vest (OTV) made of lightweight fabric material with Small Arms Protective Inserts (SAPIs) for protection against fragmentation, small arms and rifle-fired threats. The SAPI plates are rigid and brittle, limiting their… More

Conventional cargo stowage systems aboard Navy ships employ an inefficient, heavy steel rail diagonal dunnage system that requires costly, time-consuming labor operations for installation and maintenance and extensive use of wood block spacers to properly secure and restrain cargo against the… More

There is a need to increase load capacity of joints in Navy ships using fiber reinforced composite sandwich construction. The strength of most joints currently used is limited by the relatively low interlaminar properties of the composite materials being joined. The innovative T-Joints being… More

Current methods for conducting non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of U.S. Navy structures require significant time and manpower. Inspections are typically carried out via point-by-point measurement techniques that sometimes require erection of significant scaffolding to access the structure and… More

In order to meet more challenging performance goals for next-generation tactical missile systems, significant improvements in material and structural performance are needed. While recent developments in carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced composite material technology offer the promise for substantial… More

The high manufacturing success rate achieved in the fabrication of glass fabric laminates and sandwich constructions using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer molding (VARTM) process has not been duplicated for carbon fabric parts due to the slower, more complex flow processes that occur in carbon… More

Filament wound composite structures employed in high performance tactical missile systems are susceptible to catastrophic failure from impact and thermal loading. The use of composite case technology provides some inherent advantages over metallic cases in that the pressure containment capability… More

There is a critical need to replace the current honeycomb decking systems in service on Navy ships. Installation of current elevated decking systems is labor intensive and frequent, expensive maintenance is required to repair or replace deck panels that are easily damaged under heavy foot traffic… More

Advanced missile defense interceptors will require improved solutions for integrating thermal protection systems and high strength composite airframe structures to meet the performance goals for lightweight, low cost, ablative/insulation performance, lightning strike protection, resistance to… More

One critical concern in using advanced materials, such as composite materials and aluminum, in navy ship structures is their structural reliability under fire. Under a previous Navy program, Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) developed a novel and sophisticated analysis system for the assessment… More

The current aluminum hull and topside structure on LCAC are prone to corrosion and erosion due to the harsh salt-laden marine environment in which they operate. Improving durability, corrosion resistance, acoustic insulation and life cycle cost of the air cushioned vehicle (ACV) structure at… More

The goal of this SBIR project is to develop and demonstrate lightweight, low cost, drive shaft concepts for use in high performance rotating engine drive systems, with specific focus on the power transmission system of the Land Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) and future air cushion vehicles, such as the… More

The Army has expressed a need for developing lighter weight alternatives to replace the aluminum structural components currently used in high performance missile systems. While advances have been made in formulating chopped carbon fiber composites with improved mechanical strength and stiffness at… More

Legacy material systems that meet the insertion loss (IL) requirements of current acoustic windows have been shown to have difficulty meeting the structural and damage tolerance goals associated with U.S. Navy undersea operations. Newer tuned core sandwich concepts, while showing promise to improve… More

The high manufacturing success rate achieved in glass fabric/sandwich constructions fabrications using the Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Molding (VARTM) process has not been duplicated for carbon fabric parts. The purpose of this program is to develop and demonstrate an Enhanced Modeling Infusion… More

Current satellite structures and spacecraft components utilize carbon fiber reinforced composites to achieve low weight, high stiffness, strength and multifunctional performance capability. In order to meet the multifunctional performance and weight goals for future satellite systems and spacecraft… More

Development and use of new (composite) materials is imperative for continued advancement of airframe and engine systems. It is expected that this accelerated insertion of materials can be facilitated through development and validation of analytical models that guide and supplement experimental… More

Conventional approaches to developing Insensitive Munitions (IM) solutions for composite rocket motor cases have involved the development of improved energetic material formulations combined with various techniques to achieve venting of the composite case structure prior to propellant ignition and… More

The current aluminum hull and topside structure on LCAC are prone to corrosion and erosion due to the harsh salt-laden marine environment in which they operate. Improving durability, corrosion resistance, acoustic insulation and life cycle cost of the air cushioned vehicle (ACV) structure at minimum… More

The use of lightweight, high strength carbon fiber reinforced composites in rocket motor cases has provided the ability to increase the propellant mass fraction, extend range and/or increase velocity for advanced tactical missile systems. While continuous fiber reinforced composites are being used… More

Advanced polymer matrix composite materials offer the potential to reduce the weight of 21st century aircraft. However, a general methodology to assess the initial and lifetime response of complex material architectures with growing damage has not been demonstrated. The goal of this research plan… More

Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) has plans to modify and enhance an existing modeling approach for damaged composites to address the problem of damage evaluation and repair in composite structures. The discrete damage space homogenization method, or DDSHM, uses a finite element model of a… More

Composite materials often represent the most weight efficient and lowest cost solutions for airframe structures. Many of these structures are in areas that are susceptible to incidental impact damage and require adequate residual strength after impact for specified periods of service. Current… More

Materials Sciences Corporation has developed a structural analysis process that involves including crack-type damage at the micromechanics level using a representative volume element (RVE) of a composite and explicitly modeled cracks. The system interrogates the RVE for all possible crack states… More

High pressure, layflat hoselines are used in Army water and fuel systems to transport bulk fluid over long distances to provide ease of storage, layout, set-up and retrieval. In order to meet the Armyf?Ts need for an improved hoseline with a higher working pressure (740 psi) and capability to meet… More

The use of multi-functional composite laminates, including lightweight composite armor panels is increasing on U.S. Army platforms. Future Army Light Tactical Vehicles (LTV), including the Joint Light Tactical vehicles (JLTV) will most likely contain lightweight, armored composite panels that offer… More

The Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC) is seeking innovative methods for developing low cost conformal sensor arrays. The embedded sensor solution must be robust from the standpoint of installation, connectivity, and in-service durability. To address this need, Materials Sciences Corporation and… More

Minimizing corrosion is a constant challenge to the ship design community. Fiber-reinforced polymers are generally corrosion resistant; in fact glass fiber reinforced composites may be fastened or joined with almost any fastener material to metals without fear of galvanic corrosion. However, carbon… More

Marine composite structures can be subjected to continuous excitation forces when underway. Acoustic treatments such as damping tiles have been shown to be effective but can add significant parasitic weight and manufacturing and maintenance complexity to the vehicle. In this proposal, Materials… More

A physics-based life prediction methodology for ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) which can account for the component operating environment (thermal, structural, chemical) in the context of realistic defects and damage has not been sufficiently demonstrated. The innovation offered by this proposal is… More

The objective of this proposal is to review and develop a new material system for military bridge application. This material system is optimized to meet all of the Army"s desired requirements including specific stiffness, specific strength, durability, fatigue, wear, and environmental… More

Carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic matrix composites (TPMCs) offer significant benefits for high performance composite structures for aviation and missile applications. Despite these advantages, TPMC materials and processing methods are not sufficiently characterized compared to most thermoset… More

Composite materials often represent the most weight efficient and lowest cost solutions for airframe structures. Many of these structures are in areas that are susceptible to incidental impact damage and require adequate residual strength after impact for specified periods of service. Current… More

The use of multi-functional composite laminates, including lightweight composite panels, is increasing on U.S. Army tactical vehicles. These advanced polymer matrix composite materials offer the potential to reduce the weight of next generation Army tactical platforms, as well as provide increased… More

Minimizing corrosion is a constant challenge to the ship design community. Fiber-reinforced polymers are generally corrosion resistant; in fact glass fiber reinforced composites may be fastened or joined with almost any fastener material to metals without fear of galvanic corrosion. However, carbon… More

Marine composite structures can be subjected to continuous excitation forces when underway. Acoustic treatments such as damping tiles have been shown to be effective but can add significant parasitic weight and manufacturing and maintenance complexity to the vehicle. In this proposal, Materials… More

The Naval Underwater Warfare Center (NUWC) is seeking innovative methods for developing low cost conformal sensor arrays. The embedded sensor solution must be robust from the standpoint of installation, connectivity, and in-service durability. To address this need, Materials Sciences Corporation and… More

Advanced composite material systems are vital to the development of lightweight, multi-functional Army missile systems. In addition to reducing the weight of the structure, these material systems provide the ability to expand the function of the structure by tailoring stiffness and strength… More

The current welded aluminum ramps on the Navy"s Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercraft are prone to damage related to extreme vehicle and seaway load requirements in combination with corrosion and erosion due to the harsh salt-laden marine environment in which they operate. Improving… More

The use of multiple materials on aircraft can result in galvanic corrosion, accelerated by the aggressive Navy operational environment. Traditional approaches to minimizing the galvanic activity of structural designs rely heavily on sealants, coatings, and other barrier techniques, all of which may… More

In this proposal, Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC) and its manufacturing partner Seemann Composites Inc. (SCI) have defined several synergistic material science innovations that have the potential to lower the cost, or increase the performance at the current cost, of surface combatant sonar… More

Layflat hoseline is used in Army water and fuel systems to transport bulk fluid over varying distances. Ease of storage, layout, and retrieval are desired characteristics offered by layflat hoses currently in use. In order to meet the Armys need for an improved hoseline with a higher working… More

The primary objective of the proposed Phase II SBIR program is to demonstrate material modeling and process simulation tools for predicting properties of thermoplastic matrix composites (TPMCs) for next generation aviation and missile structures. In order to sufficiently characterize the influence… More