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Nanostructured Tungsten Rhenium Components for Propulsion Systems

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
76775 		Program Year/Program:
2005 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
040096 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Plasma Processes, LLC
4914 Moores Mill Road Huntsville, AL -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2005
Title: Nanostructured Tungsten Rhenium Components for Propulsion Systems
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNM05AA63C
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

Revolutionizing the space propulsion industry through innovative, relatively low-cost, manufacturing techniques is extremely needed. Specifically, advancements are needed for components in new high-powered electrical, beamed energy, and nuclear propulsion systems. Innovative processes for fabricating large, net shape, nanostructured tungsten-rhenium components are proposed. Innovative liquid precursors, tungstic acid and perrhenic acid, will be used in conjunction with powders. Vacuum Plasma Spray parameters will be developed to deposit nanostructured W-Re material. The techniques will then be used to fabricate samples for microstructural characterization and tensile testing. After optimization, non-eroding throats will be fabricated and hot fire tested at ATK/Thiokol at no cost to the Phase I effort. Tungsten is being used for its high melting temperature and chemical stability, and rhenium is used to improve ductility. The ability to fabricate nanostructured tungsten-rhenium components to net shape will revolutionize the ultra high temperature materials industry.

Principal Investigator:

Timothy N. McKechnie
timmck@plasmapros.com

Business Contact:

Angela Hattaway
Business Official
2568517653
ahattaway@plasmapros.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Plasma Processes, Inc.
4914 Moores Mill Road Huntsville, AL 35811

EIN/Tax ID: 631100320
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
Johns Hopkins University
3400 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21218
Contact: Angela Hattaway
Contact Phone: (256) 851-7653
RI Type: Nonprofit college or university