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Carbon-Carbon/Carbon Foam/Aerogel Process for Integrated Aerostructure TPS

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Missile Defense Agency 		Award ID:
91543 		Program Year/Program:
2009 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
B083-020-0586 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd.
The Millennium Centre 1142 Middle Creek Road Triadelphia, WV -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2009
Title: Carbon-Carbon/Carbon Foam/Aerogel Process for Integrated Aerostructure TPS
Agency / Branch: DOD / MDA
Contract: HQ0006-09-C-7127
Award Amount: $99,995.00
 

Abstract:

Extreme heating conditions of future MDA missions are too severe for existing low-density systems (i.e., PICA - Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator); and existing high-density systems (i.e., carbon-carbon, carbon-phenolic) are too heavy and thermally inefficient. The proposed effort seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of wrapping a lightweight, rigid carbon foam with a carbon-carbon outerlayer that serves as an integrated aerostructural TPS. To enhance the thermal performance of the carbon foam without dramatically increasing its weight, a carbon aerogel is infiltrated into the open pore structure, providing decreased radiant heat transfer. An innovative manufacturing process that involves the wrapping of a carbon fiber phenolic prepreg over a carbon foam/aerogel cylindrical mandrel will be demonstrated under the Phase I effort. Co-carbonization issues such as differential shrinkage between the carbon-carbon and carbon foam will be investigated. Also, characterization of the boundary layers will be performed along with a preliminary economic assessment for scale up.

Principal Investigator:

Drew M. Spradling
Senior Product Development Engineer
3045475800
dms@trl.com

Business Contact:

Brian E. Joseph
President, COO
3045475800
bej@trl.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

TOUCHSTONE RESEARCH LABORATORY, LTD.
The Millennium Centre R.R. 1, Box 100B Triadelphia, WV 26059

EIN/Tax ID: 550640717
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No