TEXAS RESEARCH INSTITUTE , AUSTIN, INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: ABSTRACT: This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I proposal responds to the US Air

Description

ABSTRACT: This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I proposal responds to the US Air Force critical needs to develop new materials and methods for the repair of ceramic structures. There are no existing field level rapid repairs of ceramics or CMCs being performed. Typically, these damaged structures are removed from the aircraft and repaired at a depot level, mitigating aircraft availability and force projection. Texas Research Institute Austin proposes to build on our previously successful technical work and products for aircraft field repairs. New high temperature matrix materials and reinforcements will be defined and evaluated. A comprehensive repair test program will be enacted to quantify the integrity of the repairs. The repair compositions, procedures, and supporting equipment will be identified. This will lead to early commercialization and military deployment during Phase II. These new repair materials and methods will result in significant initial savings and life cycle supportability costs. Increased savings will be realized due to decreased repair time, decreased labor expenses, and lower maintenance costs. Minimizing the difficulty of the repair process and supporting equipment will enhance rapid deployment. A systematic experimental design development approach will be utilized in developing this new repair material. BENEFIT: Our new ceramic field repair materials and process will be directly applicable to new hot structures required for a range of hypersonic vehicles ranging from ballistic reentry to hypersonic cruise vehicles, both within earth"s atmosphere and non-earth atmospheres. Also, NASA and commercial space launch vehicle manufacturers could immediately make use of the new ceramic repair materials and procedures.