Domestic Manufacturing of Pre-Ceramic Polymers for Advanced Hypersonic Materials

The goal of this Phase II project is to support the DOD supply chain with the installation of a pilot scale domestic manufacturing source for polycarbosilane (PCS) preceramic polymer for high temperature or hypersonic applications. CermeTech will work closely with a Tier 1 supplier of composite structures and components to test and verify key performance criteria and develop and demonstrate pilot production of >50kg of PCS per month. Key deliverables will include the installation of a 100L polymerization reactor and supporting distillation unit, the demonstrated capability to produce PCS, the delivery of representative samples of PCS for verification testing by the Tier 1 supplier utilizing well understood, high MRL processes and equipment, and a final report that demonstrates the PCS polymer meets the customers’ requirements.