ADVANCED CERAMIC FIBERS, L.L.C. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N231-072

Description

Our Navy has two critical goals for this project (1) reduction in supply chain risk and (2) need to open additional sources of “fiber” for the Navy’s future needs. Advanced Ceramic Fibers (ACF) will achieve these two goals by setting up a domestic supply chain for manufacture of fiber based yarn(s) made from different discontinuous fiber types including nanofilaments and micron diameter fibers. ACF is known as a unique manufacturing source for advanced ultra-high temperature (UHT) fibers with some fiber types at TRL6. N231-072 supports Hypersonics and Space Technology with the objective to develop a manufacturing process in which for example short discontinuous silicon carbide (SiC) fibers can be formed into a yarn capable of integration into traditional weaving or braiding systems for the production of high strength, high temperature ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) as part of thermal protection systems. ACF’s technical and management experience span the range from novel fiber manufacturoing to incorporaton into CMCs for turbine engine, hypersonics and space applications. We will achieve the project and objectives goals by 1. We shall adapt commercial yarn twist spinning machine used in forming continuous twisted fiber yarn strands from discontinuous micron diameter filaments (mm lengths) and in Phase II set-up a second yarn spinning machine for nano-filaments (100-500 nm lengths). ACF uses commercially available yarns (micron to nano-meter in diameter) in short and continuous forms for several going Phase II (government) and Phase III (client) projects. 2. We shall apply our patented fiber and manufacturing process to produce high temperature continuous and short SiC layered carbon (SiC/C) fibers (TRL6) and in Phase II include other metal carbide (MC/C) fibers and nano-filament s fibers with utility above 30000C. Our patents cover fibers & manufacturing of unique fiber CMC forms (Quad-XE™). "ACF extends the performance utility of carbon fiber for use in extreme environments"