Cost Effective High Temperature Fibrous Monolith Propulsion Components Through Manufacturing Process Development

"Advanced Ceramics Manufacturing proposes to investigate the potential cost reduction and production yield of Fibrous Monolith (FM) composite propulsion components through process flow analysis and adjustment. ACM will begin by selecting a developed andtested FM material system (specific for propulsion application). Alliant Tech Systems will assist ACM in selecting a prototype part to fabricate. ACM will conduct process flow and cost analysis. Fabrication techniques will be incorporated or eliminatedto reduce production costs, increase productivity and reproducibility thereby classifying FMs as a truly low-cost, robust and environmental friendly material. For carbide-based FMs to be cost effective and easily integrated within TMD and NMD systems, theproduction of FM components must be within reasonable lead times, cost effective, and of reproducible quality while maintaining mechanical, thermal and physical properties that make these materials advantageous. ACM's primary objective is to develop andimplement a manufacturing process that produces carbide-based FM propulsion components at lower costs while producing a high performance propulsion material. In accomplishing the program objective, BMDO and potential commercial customers such as ATK willbe able to test and utilize FM advanced materials in propulsion components in a time and cost efficient manner. If successful, this program will have demonstrated that the newly develo