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Completed TRL 3 (started at 3, targeting 4)
We will procure and test 20-inch diameter additively manufactured titanium motor cases. 2 test articles will be hydroburst tested, with witness specimens tensile tested. Testing aims to confirm the quality of additively manufactured titanium versus standard forgings for use in SRM cases.
Lead times for SRM manufacture can be almost three years with motor case forgings requiring a significant portion of this lead time. Forgings can take 6-12 months to create and machine, shape. This has placed two recent SRM procurements on or near the critical path of the Europa Lander and the Mars Ascent Vehicle projects with JPL. Additively manufacturing metallic SRM cases could reduce schedule from 12 months to 2. In order to apply this technology to NASA applications, testing needs to be completed to confirm the quality of additively manufactured titanium versus standard forgings.
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