Ultra High Temperature Composite SDACs Components

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been developing ultra-high temperature composites that are demonstrating little or no erosion at temperatures above 4200oF while being impinged by highly oxidizing gas streams. These results indicate that the PSI materials are promising candidates for advanced rocket components. In addition, the relatively low cost of the commercially available constituent materials and the simplicity of the processing methods will combine for production of SDACS components that will be cost effective for use in the next generation of high performance missiles. It is the purpose of this SBIR to develop and demonstrate the PSI composites as materials that are one to one replacements for current SM-3 TDACS components yet will enable significant increases in performance. During the Phase I program we will demonstrate that the PSI enhanced composites: 1) Exceed strengths of 30 KSI, 2) Retain strengths to temperatures of at least 4,000oF 3) Erode at less than 0.0001"/sec during hot fire test. During the Phase II SBIR program we will continue our work with the system integrators to ground test a specific component so that we are poised for a successful Phase III SBIR for insertion into specific MDA acquisition programs in the fastest possible timeframe.