| PROPOSAL NUMBER: | 04 T8.01-9904 |
| RESEARCH SUBTOPIC TITLE: | Aerospace Manufacturing Technology |
| PROPOSAL TITLE: | Nanostructured Tungsten Rhenium Components for Propulsion Systems |
| SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN (SBC) | RESEARCH INSTITUTION (RI) | ||
| NAME: | Plasma Processes, Inc. | NAME: | Johns Hopkins University |
| ADDRESS: | 4914 Moores Mill Road | ADDRESS: | 3400 N. Charles Street |
| CITY: | Huntsville | CITY: | Baltimore |
| STATE/ZIP: | AL35811-1558 | STATE/ZIP: | MD21218-2686 |
| PHONE: | (256)851-7653 | PHONE: | (410)516-8634 |
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR/PROJECT MANAGER
(Name, E-mail, Mail Address, City/State/Zip, Phone)
Timothy N McKechnie
timmck@plasmapros.com
TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)
Revolutionizing the space propulsion industry through innovative, relatively low-cost, manufacturing techniques is extremely needed. Specifically, advancements are needed for components in new high-powered electrical, beamed energy, and nuclear propulsion systems. Innovative processes for fabricating large, net shape, nanostructured tungsten-rhenium components are proposed. Innovative liquid precursors, tungstic acid and perrhenic acid, will be used in conjunction with powders. Vacuum Plasma Spray parameters will be developed to deposit nanostructured W-Re material. The techniques will then be used to fabricate samples for microstructural characterization and tensile testing. After optimization, non-eroding throats will be fabricated and hot fire tested at ATK/Thiokol at no cost to the Phase I effort. Tungsten is being used for its high melting temperature and chemical stability, and rhenium is used to improve ductility. The ability to fabricate nanostructured tungsten-rhenium components to net shape will revolutionize the ultra high temperature materials industry.
POTENTIAL NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Rocket engine components will be developed for nuclear, electrical, beamed energy, and chemical propulsion. Other NASA applications are arc jet thrusters, heat exchangers, welding electrodes, nuclear power and propulsion components, crucibles, cartridges, heat pipes, etc. Non eroding solid rocket nozzles meets one of the IHPRPT goals.
POTENTIAL NON-NASA COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS (LIMIT 100 WORDS)
Commercial applications are for solid and hybrid rocket nozzles, high powered electrical contacts, X-ray targets, heat pipes, crucibles, fuel cells, valves, nuclear power, furnace parts, armor penetrators, heat shields, sputtering targets, and other high temperature applications.