Novel Materials & Processing Methods for Non-Eroding Nozzles

"Missile performance is currently limited by the available materials, particularly in the propulsion system. The development of non-eroding materials for rocket nozzles has the potential to increase missile performance and reduce motor component cost.Refractory metal ceramics are leading non-eroding material candidates for a wide range of propulsion systems. Unfortunately, these materials are in an early stage of technical development, and advances in processing technology are needed before they canbe utilized effectively.Thor Technologies, Inc. will team with Los Alamos National Laboratory and ATK Thiokol to combine novel preceramic polymers with innovative processing techniques to yield a rapid, low-cost, net shape method of producing refractory metal ceramic nozzlematerials for rocket motors. The microstructrue and mechanical properties of these materials will be determined, and specimens suitable for testing in Thiokol's blast tube test facility will be prepared and delivered to BMDO. In addition, the potentialfor the use of RMCs in non-military applications will be investigated.With extensive experience in preceramic polymer design and novel ceramic processing techniques, the project team is uniquely well-suited to execute the proposed development successfully. The availability of refractory metal ceramics will enable dramatic increases in rocket motor performance while reducing cost. Civilian applications that would benefit