Manufacturing Processes for High Temperature Ceramic KEI and SM-3 SDACS Components

In this Phase I program, Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing will develop a processing method to manufacture ceramic propulsion components. ACM will demonstrate the utility of a high temperature hot isostatic pressing (HIP) consolidation process to manufacture carbide propulsion components. Low cost light weight components offer increased performance capabilities in numerous applications including miniature kill vehicle propulsion, advanced SM-3 solid DACS, Patriot reaction control system and Kinetic Energy Intercept (KEI) booster. However, cost effective production methods are lacking such that these ceramic materials remain in the laboratory. Development of manufacturing processes that allow for the near net shape fabrication of ceramic propulsion components can transition these advanced materials from laboratory setting to production floor and into MDA missile systems. The primary objectives of this program are to develop high temperature HIP processing methods and demonstrate its production capabilities as a manufacturing process. The manufacturing technology developed on this Phase I program is an enabling technology that would transition advanced high temperature materials development from the laboratory to production floor.