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Lightweight Hybrid Ablator Incorporating Aerogel-Filled Open-Cell Foam…

Award Information

Agency:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
90560 		Program Year/Program:
2009 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
085369 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Ultramet
12173 Montague Street Pacoima, CA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2009
Title: Lightweight Hybrid Ablator Incorporating Aerogel-Filled Open-Cell Foam Structural Insulator
Agency: NASA
Contract: NNX09CC60P
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

In previous work for NASA and DoD, Ultramet developed lightweight open-cell foam insulators composed of a carbon or ceramic structural foam skeleton filled with a high temperature nanoscale aerogel insulator. The structural integrity and high insulation behavior have been demonstrated when used in combination with a non-ablating, coated carbon/carbon or ceramic matrix composite outer shell. The potential exists to develop a hybrid ablator/insulator thermal protection system in which a portion of the thickness of a low conductivity, structural foam aeroshell is infiltrated with an ablative material (frontface) and the remaining thickness is filled with the high temperature aerogel insulator (backface). The potential benefit is a reduction in ablator mass required to reject the aerothermal heat load. The vehicle interface temperature will be controlled by the aerogel-filled portion of the foam structure, rather than by ablator thickness, thereby allowing the use of less ablator material. The reduced volume needed will allow use of a conventional high density, high heat flux capability ablator, offering greater mission flexibility. In this project, Ultramet will team with Materials Research & Design for preliminary thermomechanical design work and will construct a ceramic foam-reinforced hybrid ablator/insulator. Preliminary performance will be established through hot-gas testing.

Principal Investigator:

Brian E. Williams
Principal Investigator
8188990236
brian.williams@ultramet.com

Business Contact:

Craig N. Ward
Engineering Administrative Mgr
8188990236
craig.ward@ultramet.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Ultramet
12173 Montague Street Pacoima, CA 91331

EIN/Tax ID: 952662293
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No