DEVELOPMENT OF COMPOSITE ROCKET NOZZLES
Abstract
A material for rocket nozzles, consisting of a tantalum carbide matrix with embedded reinforcing tungsten wires, has been developed. The fabrication method is such that reactions between carbide and tungsten wires were prevented and the tungsten wires retained their ductility at room temperature. Plasma-flame spraying is used for the deposition of the carbide matrix. After a discussion of the general reinforcement effect produced by ductile wires in a brittle matrix, the advantages and disadvantages of a number of wire frameworks and refractory matrix materials are outlined. Tantalum carbide was selected as the main matrix material to be studied because of its extremely high melting point. A wire structure, consisting of circumferential windings supported and kept in place by longitudinal coils, was considered to be the optimum configuration for reinforcing a rocket nozzle. A method was developed to spray carbides in an inert atmosphere chamber. This kept the carbon content of the material close to the theoretical amount, but the deposition of a fully stoichiometric carbide proved not to be feasible. A number of tensile and other tests were performed to investigate the effectiveness of reinforcing structures. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 31, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0262775
Entities
People
- Irving Strauss