Ultra High Temperature Refractory Materials

Legacy refractory materials that have origins dating to the original Saturn program are commonly used in current launch facilities. Although they fail to meet the target requirements, they are the only approved material. Our research team has demonstrated a baseline system during the Phase I effort that combines a non-cement binder, a high temperature macro aggregate, and reactive nano aggregates to produce an Ultra High Temperature Refractory (UHTR). Our UHTR system has sustained short term exposures to 3000C in a laboratory test and excellent resistance to environmental aging. The Phase II effort will optimize the mechanical and thermal behavior based on rocket plume exposure testing.

Rocket Launch/Test Facilities -Flame deflector/wall liners, bricks, mortar -Protective layers over secondary launch pad structures that see indirect plume exposure Spacecraft launch vehicles -Low cost liners for propulsion systems

Rocket Launch/Test Facilities -Flame deflector/wall liners, bricks, mortar -Protective layers over secondary launch pad structures that see indirect plume exposure Spacecraft launch vehicles/ Missiles -Low cost liners for propulsion Furnace/Kiln refractories

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.