Low-Cost Rocket Nozzle Materials for Tactical Missiles

Foster-Miller will demonstrate the feasibility of fabricating C/HfC composite components for rocket nozzle application by an innovative, potentially low-cost approach. C/HfC composites can offer the requisite strength, chemical inertness and erosion resistance at nozzle peak temperatures (2500 C-3450'C) . In addition, nozzle components based on C/HfC material system offer the following advantages over currently used materials (W-Cu alloys): light weight, thermal insulation, higher performance, higher design flexibility. C/HfC system also offers higher oxidation resistance compared to the only other alternative materials: graphite and C/C. The innovative fabrication process proposed by Foster-Miller offers net- shape capability, versatility, potential for low-cost, and can produce parts with higher density and oxidation resistance comparable to parts made by the current process (chemical vapor infiltration CVI).