Non-Eroding Nozzle Materials

Non eroding nozzle materials can provide significant increases in the precision of positioning systems for spacecraft, as well as for improved predictability of the behavior of these systems. The proper combination of materials and reinforcement geometries can provide low eroding material at the flame surfaces, plus thermostructural capability at the interior of the nozzle. This program will investigate the combinations of materials and reinforcement geometries which can provide thermal matching between material surfaces, low processing risks, and reliable material behavior in the nozzle system. Hybrids, plus variable reinforcement weave geometries will be investigated analytically to determine an optimum material configuration to then be pursued experimentally.