Lightweight Structural Components of a Missile Body

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has a need for weight-optimized solutions for future platforms of large missile structures. A significant weight reduction on these MDA platforms could increase maneuverability of the payload and allow the missile to launch additional kill vehicles. High temperature composite materials offer the means by which low cost and lighter weight missile structures can be achieved. Texas Research Institute Austin, Inc. will prove the feasibility of using a high temperature polysiloxane resin system reinforced with carbon fiber to replace structures with high thermal loads. High temperature structural components on missile bodies are currently fabricated from titanium because of the high heat flux on the missile skin. During flight the fiber reinforced polysiloxane will undergo a thermal conversion process to a fiber reinforced silicon oxycarbide ceramic composite. This resin system offers the uniqueness of low temperature curing that exhibits an extreme resistance to a high temperature environment. High temperature fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP) offer key advantages over metals and ceramics, such as low density, thermal insulation capability, and good mechanical strength. New polysiloxane resin systems have shown exceptional char yield, thermal stability, low thermal conductivity, chemical resistance, and low flammability properties at high heat fluxes. Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9522 (23 Feb 18)