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Additive Manufacturing Synthesis of Novel Materials for 3000 Degree
Completed
TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
Description
Environmentally durable material systems capable of operating at temperatures from 1500 to 3000?C while maintaining structural integrity are enabling for future hot structure hypersonic vehicles. State-of-the-art ceramic matrix composite CMC's and other established refractories lack stability at these high temperatures. The plasma transferred arc (PTA) additive manufacturing (AM) process has demonstrated over 4000?C melt synthesis of select eutectic materials which have exhibited cyclic oxidation protection at 2600?C. These novel materials will be further investigated as possible monoliths, graphite fiber reinforced and as a conformal coating on C-C components. The PTA AM synthesized materials will be fully characterized to 3000?C for hypersonic vehicle applications with coupons delivered to NASA.
Benefits
A material which maintains structural integrity to 3000?C enables hypersonic vehicles, some missile systems and any very high temperature application.
Hypersonic vehicles for DoD, civilian rocketry and space vehicles, some energy conversion application, and some niche industrial application.
Details
| Technology area | Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Materials > Lightweight Structural Materials |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | ATS-MER, LLC, Tucson, AZ |
| Start date | 2014-06-20 |
| End date | 2014-12-19 |
Project contacts
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How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.
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