The Joining of Carbon-Carbon Composites Using Field-Assisted Sintering Technology

Completed TRL 6 (started at 4, targeting 6)

Description

Ballydel Technologies will partner with the Penn State University Applied Research Laboratory (PSU-ARL) to develop a novel manufacturing approach for joining two dissimilar ceramic matrix composites (CMCs). Specifically, Ballydel and PSU-ARL will develop a field-assisted sintering technique (FAST) for joining 2D and 3D carbon-carbon composite planes. FAST is a disruptive manufacturing technique that produces sintered solids with near theoretical density, in a dramatically shorter period of time (<20 minutes), when compared to traditional sintering methods. The goal of this endeavor is to demonstrate the utility of this technique for the manufacture of a variety of hypersonic components, suitable for defense and aerospace applications.

Benefits

The development of a FAST process for joining C-C composite structural components will directly address an industry need for an efficient manufacturing process that enables the structural joining of two dissimilar CMCs or two dissimilar C-C composites for high temperature applications. This will subsequently impact a variety of aerospace structures use in space flight, include reusable hot structure components.

Primary applications for this technology include C-C composites for reusable hot structures and aerospace vehicles used in space flight missions. Secondary applications include C-C composite architectures for hypersonic applications within Department of Defense.

Details

Technology area	Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Manufacturing > Manufacturing Processes
Program	Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR)
Lead organization	Ballydel Technologies, Inc., Newark, DE
Start date	2021-05-19
End date	2021-11-19

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Alan P Shapiro — alan.p.shapiro@nasa.gov
Gwenevere L Jasper — gwenevere.l.jasper@nasa.gov
Brendan Delacy
Brendan G Delacy

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.