Resilient Rockets

Plasma Processes, Inc.

Huntsville , AL
 

• Advanced, robust liquid rocket engine liners were produced with a patented vacuum plasma spray process used to apply a functional gradient material (FGM).
• GRCop-84, a copper alloy developed by NASA/GRC, was utilized for its superior high-temperature performance and a special nickel alloy to prevent oxidation.

• Developed sub-, mid-, and full-scale liners, with the combination of materials proving extremely successful in protecting the copper from oxidation.
• Successful testing was completed in August 2003 with 108 hot-fire cycles and 520 seconds of mainstage duration accumulated. Throughout the test series, no degradation was observed for the liner or its protective layer.
• This joint MSFC/GRC/PPI effort led to the formation of the "GRCop Development Team" winning NASA's 2003 Turning Goals into Reality Award for the "Objective 7: Mission Affordability" category.

• TRL#: 5-6
• Two patents: 5,249,357, "Method of Fabricating a Rocket Engine Combustion Chamber"; 6,314,720, "B1 Rocket Combustion Chamber Coating."
• Target markets: aerospace, defense, commercial access to space.
• Currently available for manufacture.

• Propulsion systems including MCC, nuclear propulsion, and solid rocket propulsion
• Thermal barrier coatings and oxidation-protection coatings
• Thermal protection systems and leading-edge surfaces

Return to NASA SBIR Success Listings 

Curator: SBIR Support                9/23/05