Allcomp Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF151-192

Description

ABSTRACT: High speed weapons and platforms with velocities above Mach 4 will place significant demands on materials used for structures, aeroshells, apertures, control surfaces, and for propulsion components in air-breathing systems. The extremely harsh environment of flight above Mach 4 generates surface temperatures from 1000 degrees F to 3500 degrees F depending on the vehicle and the location on the vehicle. New innovative, affordable, light weight, high temperature capable, and thermally & structurally efficient material concepts are required to enhance durability and carry some of the system loads without increasing parasitic weight and ultimately reducing the overall structural weight for future hypersonic platforms. Allcomp proposed to develop a new generation of CMC composites that are reinforced by multi-dimensional and tailorable fiber reinforcements. This new family of CMC composites are affordable, easy to fabricate and can be scale-up able for Aeroshell and Thermal Protection System (TPS) of the future hypersonic platforms. BENEFIT: This new generation of CMC composites are reinforced by multi-dimensional fiber preform that can be fabricated cost effectively with short lead time using any commercially available fiber. This new generation of CMC composites are affordable, light weight, high temperature capable. They can be engineered to meet specific thermal & structural requirements of the Aeroshell and TPS of future hypersonic platforms. Once the production volume increases and the cost drops, there are also many space and commercial applications of using this family of CMC composites for applications such as high conductivity thermal doubler and furnace fixtures.