Low-Cost Processing of Ceramic Composites for Non-Eroding Nozzles

"Missile Defense Weapons currently under development (THAAD, NMD, Standard Missile 3, or SM3) employ a hit-to-kill strategy to destroy enemy missiles at all stages of their trajectories. To achieve precise and repeatable divert thrust for the kill vehicle.Corrosion-resistant propulsion materials and components are required. New corrosion-resistant materials are required to enable digital propulsion to be cost-effective. Ceramic composites that possess high corrosion resistance will be fabricated using alow cost processing route. The proposed program will develop the processing methodology for these high payoff propulsion materials. High Temperature ceramic composites have potential applications in both the aerospace and military industry, and areexpected to have significant impact on various sectors of the economy if successful. The military/aerospace applications will include rocket nozzles, re-entry surfaces, aerobrakes, and rocket engines for future spacecraft, supersonic vehicles, lunar andplanetary missions. Industrial applications could include components for aircraft or stationary gas turbines and for nuclear reactors, crucibles for high temperature melting and containers for high temperature metallization."