High Temperature, Wear Resistant Bore Insulator Material for Electromagnetic Rail Guns(1001-193)

Triton System Inc. (Triton) proposes to develop an ultra-high temperature polymer composite tailored to address the electrical, thermal, mechanical and wear resistance performance required of an electromagnetic (EM) rail gun bore insulator. Utilizing a thermoset silicon based polymer originally developed and qualified for Peacekeeper Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) 3D Quartz fiber antenna windows, two polymer based composite materials will be developed for testing reinforced with quartz (fused silica) fiber and Nextel 610 (alumina) fiber. Phase I testing will consist of high temperature electrical arc testing conducted at Texas Tech University – Center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics. Texas Tech has over 20 years experience in the design, development and testing of electromagnetic rail guns and will be a vital team member possessing the facilities, equipment and expertise to evaluate the materials. Finally, Triton has the endorsement of BAE Systems, Armament Systems Division, Minneapolis MN, a system developer of EM rail guns for the Navy. BAE will provide guidance in Phase I and review the technical results with more active participation to be implemented should a Phase II effort be awarded.