Development of Novel Particle Impact Tester for Oxygen Rich Turbo Machinery Materials and Coating Evaluation

The need to develop a test system that can validate material choices in relevant environments is crucial to making robust high performance engine designs, and decrease risk. With this project we propose a ignition test bed capable of providing relevant test conditions (Pressure, Temperature, Velocity, Concentration). A modular subscale oxygen rich preburner based particle impact test system would provide the opportunity to create relevant ox rich environments with various fuels (RP1, Hydrogen, Methane, CNG) with LOX, encompassing the current design envelops of many development projects. A modular design would allow great flexibility not only in environmental the conditions used for testing mixed gas, but also with 100% oxygen testing as well. For example a heat exchanger module could allow for heating LOX, up to high pressure/ high temperature GOx for testing other 100% oxygen engine component candidate materials at conditions that exceed current test capabilities.

This technology will enhance the understanding of various alloy and material performance in high-temperature, high-pressure oxygen environments. Such information will enable deep-space human exploration by aiding in the advancement of state-of-the-art rocket engines and support the development of optimized materials for extreme oxidizing conditions.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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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