Composite Boss System Concepts

"This program covers replacement of metallic boss and attachment rings with an all-composite version to eliminate a major weight component of solid rocket motors. These components are for attachment of solid rocket motor igniters and nozzle systems. Theseboss systems are critical and complex attachment components that support primary loading in the solid rocket system. This study program will review the design aspects for composite boss attachment systems and various methods of incorporating the bossrings into the solid rocket motor case dome structure. Three different attachments and incorporation methods are reviewed as applicable to intercept solid rocket motor designs. Material selection and properties will be considered to ensure compatibilitywith existing solid rocket motor case designs for intercept vehicles. A range of manufacturing methods will be examined and discussed and recommendations will be made for incorporation into a demonstration program in Phase II. The composite solid rocketmotors are normally filament wound construction and consequently the manufacturing methods considered may form a hybrid construction with filament winding. Test methods will be considered for verification of the selected design and manufacturing methodand for potential testing in the Phase II program. Two major benefits will accrue to the government from performance of this program. One is the significant reduction in weight of solid r