Materials Development for High Performance Solid Rocket Motor Cases

Extreme elevated temperatures are reached in solid rocket motors (SRM) applications which have traditionally required the use of both interior and exterior thermal insulation materials. The development of more thermally stable composites would mitigate the need for these insulation layers. TRI/Austin is teaming with a major producer of SRM's to develop a multifunctional material approach to address this problem. Three technical objectives will be pursued simultaneously to address thermal stability issues of the entire composite system, not simply the matrix resin. By addressing the properties of both the matrix resin and the reinforcement interface, significant improvements in overall composite performance at elevated temperatures are anticipated. The next generation rocket systems will rely on technology options that provide inert component size and weight reductions. This motor design approach will enable motors to carry more propellant thereby doubling any potential benefits (less weight/more energy storage) for Future Strategic Strike ICBM designs. The proposed multifunctional material approach can improve the matrix glass transition temperature of the composite case system, while eliminating the need for traditional elastomeric insulation material system.