Aerospace Structures Technology

Oxide-based CMC materials, new ceramic adhesives, and design concepts developed for thermal protection systems and engine hot parts will be combined to create an advanced nozzle liner for augmented and unaugmented exhaust. Manufacturability and costsavings will be demonstrated for a bonded load-bearing structure. Provision for active cooling and the inherently low short/mid wave IR emissivity and dielectric constant of oxide-oxide CMCs will be exploited to make the structure Low Observablescompatible. Conceptual design and thermal and dynamic structural analyses will be performed in Phase I and a subcomponent will be tested at NASA GRC. Phase 2 will culminate in test of a large-scale component in the AFRL thermo-acoustic facility.Ourapproach to exhaust washed structures offers significant advantages over metal components and conventional CMCs. The oxide-based CMCs require only a single infiltration step saving processing costs. Our advanced ceramic adhesives will permit use ofbonded structures, which will lower fabrication costs and life cycle costs through better maintainability and repairability. Compatibility with LO requirements will lead to increased survivability of future military aircraft.