NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : family of Advanced Ablative Heat Shields of Moderate-to-Low Density

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

The goal of this project is development of a new family of advanced ablative-heat-shield materials in the density range of 15 to 50 lb/ft(3). These materials will be chemically very similar and will contain different proportions of essentially the same ingredients, but different family members will be optimzed for different and specific heating environments. The range of new ablator forumations will satisfy identified needs for thermal protection of Earth and planetary entry vehicles, high-speed tactical missiles, and launch vehicles. A new manufacturing process allows greater levels of fiber and fabric reinforcements if the ablators within this family. Enhanced reinforcement provides greater ruggedness and higher performance at a reduced ablator weight. Also, manufacturing costs are either competitive lower compared to currently-used methods.

The technical results of this project have excellent and far-reaching commercial applications. Today, there is a significant shortage of ablative-heat-shield materials to meet near-term needs of NASA, Department of Defense and the Aerospace industry. There is a broad range of thermal envioronments for which protection is needed, and this generates the requirement for a "family" of ablatives. A successful Phase I and Phase II should result in commercial production of a range of heat shield products, and these might be supplied both as heat shield "kits" and as heat shield subassemblies.

Noel H. Ethridge
Applied Research Associates, Inc.
4300 San Mateo Blvd., NE, Suite A220
Albuquerque, NM 87110

Applied Research Associates, Inc.
4300 San Mateo Blvd., NE, Suite A220
Albuquerque, NM 87110