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Low Cost Ceramic-Lined Rocket Motor Case Design

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
52465 		Program Year/Program:
2001 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
011PRO-1361 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
ADVANCED CERAMICS RESEARCH, INC.
3292 E. Hemisphere Loop Tucson, AZ 85706
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2001
Title: Low Cost Ceramic-Lined Rocket Motor Case Design
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: F04611-01-C-0058
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

In this phase I SBIR program, a team led by Advanced Ceramics Research, Inc. (ACR), and its partners propose the development of an innovative integral co-cured rocket motor casing comprised of a graphite/epoxy shell with a novel heat shield and linerfabricated from ACR's patented gelcasting ceramic material. The novel combination of materials will provide a unique synergy where the graphite/epoxy will provide structural rigidity, while the cured ceramic material will provide an ablative skin andmoisture protection to the structural graphite/epoxy layer, enabling long-term storage of the casing materials. The graphite-epoxy shell, the ceramic liner and ceramic shell reinforced with carbon fibers will be fabricated using a patented process. In thephase I program, the ACR led team will prove the concept and fabricate composite coupons. Additionally, ACR will develop guidelines and procedures for optimizing the performance of composite motor casings and provide a parametric analysis and preliminarycost/economic analysis for prototype rocket motor casings. In the phase II program, the ACR led team will scale up the manufacturing process for fabricating full-scale components.The material developed in this Phase I program will be evaluated for numberof high temperature applications. The ability to fabricate such components from a combination of polymer composites and ceramic composites would be advantageous to a number of customers who are contemplating the use of high temperature composite systemsbut cannot afford the cost of an all-ceramic component.

Principal Investigator:

Ranji Vaidyanathan
Manager, Adv. Matls.
5204346392
r.vaidyanathan@acrtucson.com

Business Contact:

Brett Waldo
Controller
5205736300
b.waldo@acrtucson.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

ADVANCED CERAMICS RESEARCH, INC.
3292 E. Hemisphere Loop Tucson, AZ 85706

EIN/Tax ID: 860640868
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No