CORNERSTONE RESEARCH GROUP INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A16-092

Description

Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. proposes new elastomeric materials for use in solid rocket motor case insulation that are low cost, easy to produce, and can integrate with existing manufacturing. CRG already has a cyanate ester elastomer (CEE) material that has been tested in a sub-scale motor and performed well, particularly in low mass flux conditions, but if properly reinforced it offers improvement across a broad performance range. Now, a new elastomeric material is in development that is based on CRGs family of high temperature organic resins, MG Resins, and it is anticipated to perform even better than the CEE materials tested previously. In this program, CRG will evaluate the suitability of MG Elastomer for rocket motor insulation. CRG will then compare its MG Elastomers with its CEE. The material that shows the best promise to displace the current EPDM material will then be carried into Phase II for processing scale up, supply chain maturation, cost optimization and sub-scale motor testing. The full, three-phase program offers multiple routes to achieving disruptive innovation in solid rocket motor insulation technology, replacing the EPDM incumbent while maintaining cost, availability, and manufacturing advantages that have made that material a dependable solution for thirty years.