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Physical Sciences Inc (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the Missile Defense Agency to develop an integrated refractory solution via tape casting capable of withstanding heat fluxes greater than 1000 W/cm2 and enabling low drag during flight Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop protective integrated tape solutions for sharp leading edges (LEs) on hypersonic vehicles to enable low drag during flight.
The material system will consist of a refractory material that will be integrated directly with PSI’s existing ceramic matrix composite system. The resulting protective layer will be dense with high temperature and low oxidation capabilities to enable shape retention during hypersonic flight. The system is integrated directly into PSI’s composite manufacturing process, requiring no additional process steps or specialized application equipment. The composition of the layer can be functionally graded to promote maximum adhesion. Thick applications can be machined to tight tolerances without impacting underlying fiber reinforcements. During the proposed Phase I, the PSI team will demonstrate feasibility through a regime of LE fabrication, testing, and modeling efforts. During Phase II the team will fabricate ground test articles based on anticipated designs, paving the way for inclusion in operational MDA vehicles.
For more information contact:
Dr. John Steinbeck
Product Manager, Advanced Composites
steinbeck@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Office: (978) 689-0003
Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported under a contract with the Missile Defense Agency. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.