Thermally Engineered Gradient Refractory Metal Matrix Hot-Structures for Hypersonics

Powdermet has developed a series of multifunctional hierarchical nano-to-micro structured high temperature metallic matrix composites under trade names Hybrimet™, Insalloy™, and HybriTherm™. Powdermet's portfolio of materials have tailored thermal conductivity combined with low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and reduced stiffness for high temperature passive and active hot-structures. These materials may be suitable for integration of sharp ceramic leading edges into metallic airframes for hypersonic vehicles, and for fabricating air and fuel-cooled engine structures. HybriTherm™ composites fabricated from high temperature alloys have 3-5X higher thermal conductivity, and greater than 50% lower stiffness and CTE than traditional high temperature metallic materials, reducing thermal stresses by 80-90% in extreme environment applications.  Powdermet proposes the formulation development of gradient Ultra-High Temperature Ceramics (UHTC) in a niobium Refractory Metal Matrix Composite (rMMC) for hypersonic missile fins and control surfaces.  The goal objective sought under this program is the demonstrative proof in modeling and fabricating gradient UHTC-rMMC parts.