Low-Cost Processing of Liners for Zero-Eroding Nozzles

"After September 11, 2001, Missile Defense has taken on a significantly higher national priority for the protection of the US homeland and territories of allies, as well as other important national assets. Missiles currently in development such as theTHAAD, NMD, Standard Missile 3, or SM3, are multiple stage missiles designed to achieve the required range concurrent with the ability to impart the velocity (or kinetic energy) needed to destroy the target with a hit-to-kill strategy. Current boostermotor (or "axial" boost propulsion) nozzles use costly carbon-carbon (C-C) composites or expensive and complex, multi-part (3-D) nozzles with forged tungsten inserts to achieve the high booster motor performance required. Development of a zero-erosionnozzle liner would enable significantly lower nozzle cost concomitant with a significant reduction in the cost of the propulsion system. MMI proposes a low-cost synthesis technique in conjunction with a fast processing technique for the fabrication ofhigh payoff, lower cost nozzle liner materials. The development of the methodology suggested in this proposal will significantly increase the options for the boost propulsion designer and will minimize or eliminate the use of costly C-C and expensivemulti-part forged tungsten based nozzles. commercial applications include:¿ Scramjet and ramjet turbine component¿ Reusable heat shields for reentry vehicle nosecones¿ Flame nozzles¿ Wa