Advanced CMC Materials and Manufacturing Processes for Divert and Attitude Control Systems

Fiber Materials Inc. (FMI) teamed with Aerojet Sacramento proposes to advance low cost, non-eroding material systems based on carbon fiber reinforced carbon silicon carbide (C-SiC) to high performance divert and attitude control system (DACS) components for the SM-3 TDACS application. In addition the program will develop advanced ceramic matrix composite manufacturing processes to further the material system capabilities while offering reduced system cost. These innovations will facilitate transition of current fielded DACS refractory metal construction technology to ceramic matrix composites with increased pressure capability. This added thrust capability will enable higher performance DACS designs and is applicable to evolving interceptor systems such as KEI. The material will be engineered for use with systems operating in the 3700°F temperature regime. Preliminary conceptual design and thermal/stress assessments will be accomplished in Phase I. The Phase I analyses will be used as a basis for varying carbon fiber perform weave design and process parameters to meet the operational end use requirements. In Phase II, final design analysis activities will support both manufacture of material for characterization as well as a representative component for hot gas demonstration.