Project Title:

FABRICATION OF ECONOMICAL LOW THRUST CHEMICAL ROCKET

ELECTROFORMED NICKEL, INC.
283 Winfield Circle
Corona, California 91720

93-1  11.03   4707    __      AMOUNT REQUESTED $68,519

FABRICATION OF ECONOMICAL LOW THRUST CHEMICAL ROCKET
ENGINES BY ELECTROFORMED RHENIUM (IRIDIUM PLATED)

Abstract:

A need exists for a cost effective means for fabricating high-
temperature rhenium structures having good mechanical properties.
A program is proposed to demonstrate the merits of fused salt
deposition of rhenium on various refractory substrates using
current manipulating techniques such as pulsed current and periodic
current reversal to refine microstructures and improve mechanical
properties. Fused salts have been successfully used to deposit
other refractory metals, but rhenium deposition from such baths has
been overlooked in favor of chemical vapor deposition (CVD). CVD
has been the predominant technique for rhenium electrodeposition,
but this method is extensive and yields a metal of inferior quality
to that expected from the fused salt bath. Rhenium deposits shall
be characterized from melts of various base chemistries, and
responses to thermal treatment on several substrates will be
examined.

Commercial applications would include small uncooled rocket thrust
chambers (up to 200 pound thrust) for maneuvering satellites and
orbiting spacecraft. High-temperature piping and valving, possibly
for handling liquid metals or exhaust gases would benefit from such
a material. The material might also be useful in turbine components
requiring high-temperature capability. Use as a diffusion coating
over graphite and carbon-carbon composites is seen.

Rhenium; Refractory Metals, High-Temperature Metals, Electforming,
Uncooled Thrusters, Diffusion Barrier Coatings, Reaction Control
Systems