Techniques For Radiation Hardening Including Electro-Optic Subsystems.

San Diego Composites (SDC) and the University of Delaware's Center for Composite Materials (UDCCM) have identified an opportunity to develop and demonstrate innovative techniques to fabricate integrally radiation hardened composite electronic housings for MDA interceptor electronics enclosures. The goal of this project is to develop materials and manufacturing methods for composite electronic enclosures that incorporate radiation shielding with minimal parasitic weight added. This will be accomplished by using low cost resin infusion and pre-preg composite manufacturing techniques to incorporate neutron and cold x-ray shielding material into the composite materials. High atomic number materials, such as gold, tantalum, tungsten or steel, are candidates for radiation shielding. These materials all provide effective shielding but at a significant weight penalty. Multiple shielding concept designs will be accomplished by radiation shielding analysis to maximize radiation shielding and minimize weight penalties. Different design philosophies will be used related to the placement of high Z materials in the composite to avoid high temperature failure and spallation when subjected to a radiation environment. Analyzed designs will be fabricated to provide samples for testing validation of mechanical, micro-structural and radiation shielding qualities. This program will show the benefits of lower part count and lower cost by incorporating radiation hardening into electronic housing structures instead of current nonstructural application of radiation shielding materials.