Metal Matrix Composite DACS Components

Touchstone proposes an innovative solution to the composite overwrapped helium tank that will lower the cost and reduce the weight. The current configuration consists of storage tank for the fuel, the oxidizer, and a gas that is used to pressurize the fuel and oxidizer. The gas tank design incorporates a polymer composite that is wound over a titanium liner. The polymer composite provides the strength and the titanium liner prevents gas leakage. This arrangement is expensive and heavy. In contrast, an aluminum metal matrix composite (Al MMC) tank design could lead to several advantages, including higher temperature application capability, impermeable liner with no rubber bladder required, and comparable strength to polymer matrix composites. The failure modes of the tank are also potentially more benign due to the ductile nature of aluminum, allowing for more strain until failure. It is the goal of the proposed work to develop a novel Al MMC helium tank for a liquid DACS that is low cost and lightweight to help increase the system delta velocity to greater than 1000 m/s and reduce the reaction time to less than 10 ms.