Non-Traditional Insulation for Flight Weight Composite Pressure Vessels

"MDA interceptors require lighter weight TSRM and ACS components to achieve performance goals for next generation SM3. Lower density, higher temperature internal insulation materials will reduce weight in the DACS and ACS components. In ongoing MDA SBIR programs, SDC is developing a composite insulated pressure accumulator (PA) for SM3. The composite overwrap has proven to be lighter weight compared to a metal design; however, the insulation inside the composite PA accounts for a large percentage of the PA weight. To address MDAs need for lightweight SM3 propulsion pressure vessels, SDC recently completed a Phase I program which demonstrated feasibility of reducing the PA insulation weight by 55% through thermal analysis, subscale component manufacturing, and hot gas testing. SDC is proposing a Phase II SBIR program to continue technology development to reduce weight of insulated composite through the following innovations: non-traditional insulations which have higher temperature capabilities and lower densities compared to traditional EPDM rubber insulations; insulation characterization through analysis and coupon testing; manufacturability and insulation integration into flight weight components; and hot gas testing to quantify insulation capabilities."