High Temperature Zero Erosion Ablative Combustion Liner

This Phase II MDA SBIR Program seeks to demonstrate a new high temperature zero erosion ablative combustion liner technology that is based upon an organic ablative/ceramic fiber char composite structure. In this new architecture, the "char" phase is pre-engineered into the combustion liner. The "char" is composed of ultra-high-temperature woven hafnium carbide (HfC) ceramic fabric. In our successful MDA Phase I SBIR Program, MATECH fabricated the world's first woven HfC ceramic fiber mats and fabrics. The Phase I program progressed with the fabrication of a cross-linked melamine-formaldehyde ablative infused into woven HfC fabric. The ultra-high-temperature HfC fabric was the non-eroding, insulating char layer. The program culminated with the successful torch testing of the new hybrid system and compared it with conventional EPDM rubber combustion liner ablative insulation. In this Phase II SBIR Program, MATECH proposes a more extensive development program that includes the evaluation of five candidate systems in comparison with conventional EPDM rubber and phenolic. The effect of HfC fiber volume fraction and weave structure will also be evaluated. The Phase II program will culminate with nine hot-fired motor tests of the candidate materials at Aerojet's facilities.