LOW COST ROCKET THRUSTERS

Refractory Composites, Inc. (RCI) proposes to merge innovations in ceramic matrix processing technologies and anvances in fiber weaving technologies to produce dramatic reductions in fabrication costs for ceramic composite rocket thrusters. The superior mass, operating temperature and lifetime of C\SiC and Gr\HfC rocket thrusters has been demonstrated over the last four years in experimental BMDO interceptor programs. RCI has developed a unique process approach to carbide matrix generation that is capable of generating a variety of differing metal carbide matrices at very low costs compared to CVI processed composites. The process is capable of producing virtually all carbide matrices of engineering importance using low cost reactants at very high conversion efficiencies.