Zr- and Hf- Based Composite Structures for Advanced Divert and Attitude Control Systems

KiON Defense Technologies, Inc. (KDT) proposes a new route to the fabrication of Ultrahigh Temperature Ceramic parts based on preceramic polymer technology. The new fabrication method is based on the synthesis of new, single component ceramic precursor resins to ZrC-SiC ceramics that comprise significant mole fractions of Zr. The resins will be based on the modification of KDT’s liquid ammonia-derived polysilazanes with Zr reagents. The fabrication of CMCs comprising ZrC-SiC matrices will be demonstrated utilizing compression molding techniques with subsequent PIP processing of C-fiber preforms in combination with the Zr-containing polysilazanes as a modeling tool for future composites containing more oxidatively-robust fibers. KDT’s approach promises to deliver a simple, flexible, and new manufacturing capability to supply parts for Ultrahigh Temperature applications such as DACS.