High Strength Nanomaterials Fiber for Lightweight Composite Missile Cases (MSC P1T39-432)

Solid rocket motor cases for advanced tactical missile systems use lightweight, high strength composite materials to achieve high propellant mass fractions and increase overall propulsion system efficiency. Meeting the increasingly more demanding missile and propulsion system performance goals for next-generation missile systems will require leap-ahead improvements in composite motor case material technology. Recent advances in the field of nanocomposites provides an important opportunity for achieving improved composite strength and multifunctional performance capability for advanced lightweight composite motor cases. Carbon nanotube (CNT) reinforced fibers have been developed and demonstrated on a laboratory scale and have shown promise for increasing the strength, stiffness, conductivity and toughness of composite structures. The proposed research offers an integrated analytical/manufacturing/ experimentation approach for development of a robust, scaleable process for producing CNT nanofibers in continuous lengths suitable for use in high performance filament wound composite rocket motor cases. The proposed Phase I program involves: (1) CNT nanofiber process development and scale-up, (2) thorough evaluation of the influence of different nanomaterial reinforcement types, concentrations and process conditions on the delivered properties of the nanocomposite fiber, and (3) transition of the process and nanofiber material technology to a commercial fiber manufacturer and composite rocket motor case production company.