C/C Manufacturing with MG Resin and 3D Preforms

Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) proposes to advance the state-of-the-art in carbon/carbon (C/C) composites for hot structures on atmospheric entry vehicles with an objective to deliver high quality components quicker and at lower cost. This is enabled by a new, proprietary resin technology called MG Resin. The material is being explored through funding with DARPA, MDA, NASA, and the Army for a range of applications including hot structures, thermal protection systems (TPS), and rocket motor insulation among others. The proposed embodiment uses MG Resin to replace phenolic or pitch as the primary char former in C/C and as a reimpregnation resin. MG forms graphitic carbon at relatively low temperatures with very high yield and it can be processed with liquid infusion techniques, resin film infusion, or in prepreg formats. Densification is still required, but CRG is targeting one or two reimpregnation steps as opposed to the six or more that serve as the current state of the art. The time and cost savings afforded by the reduced number of impregnation steps is significant with applicability for many different types of C/C and their related applications spanning aeroshells, control surfaces, and propulsion.