Polymer Liners for Lightweight Gel Propulsion Storage Tanks

MicroPhase Coatings, Inc (MPCI) proposes to develop polymer liners for lightweight gel propulsion storage tanks in response to Army SBIR Phase I Solicitation A02-144. Current gel propulsion technology is handicapped by the weight of metal storage tanksrequired to store Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) and Mono Methyl Hydrazine (MMH) gels for long term. The SBIR development approach innovatively modifies and combines existing materials to form coated liners that can be manufactured into storagebladders. The approach examines a number of heavily fluorinated materials to meet requirements of chemical resistance, flexibility, durability, processability, and service life. MPCI first develops a foundation liner that is IRFNA/MMH resistant, thendevelops a coating for further protection and extended operational service life. As an option, properties for long term storage, handling, shock and engine operational firing are determined. MPCI's core business is development of high performance polymerbarrier coatings, and the approach builds on previous successful developments of barrier coatings used for chemical storage tanks. MPCI assembled a team of missile propulsion experts including Alliant Techsystems, TRW Space Systems, and others whocontribute operational and manufacturing expertise and test facilities. North Carolina State University conducts electron microscopy and other sophisticated testing. A successful Phase I establishes the technical feasibility of developing heavily fluorinated polymer liners for long term storage of highly corrosive gel fuels including Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid (IRFNA) and Mono Methyl Hydrazine (MMH). Ifsuccessful, the liners will provide longer service life than current metal containers and will significantly reduce the weight and cost of current systems. The technology is immediately transferable to: (1) Army Common Missile and other gel-fuel missiledevelopments; (2) new rocket propulsion systems for NASA and others; and (3) chemical processing equipment and storage tanks. This project will yield a barrier coating/liner that can withstand the highly corrosive effects of IRFNA/MMH, temperature, shock,vibration, and environmental rigors of tactical missile propulsion systems. Such a product will likely withstand the environmental requirements for chemical transfer and storage in a large number of applications including the chemical processing industry,ship and railcar shipping, and manufacturing industries that employ acids.