Thrust Chamber Material Technology Program
Abstract
This report covers work performed at Pratt and Whitney on development of copper-based materials for long-life, reuseable, regeneratively cooled rocket engine thrust chambers. The program approached the goal of enhanced cyclic life through the application of rapid solidification to alloy development, to introduce fine dispersions to strengthen and stabilize the alloys at elevated temperatures. After screening of alloy systems, copper-based alloys containing Cr, Co, Hf, Ag, Ti and Zr were processed by rapid-solidification atomization in bulk quantities. Those bulk alloys showing the most promise were characterized by tensile testing, thermal conductivity testing, and elevated-temperature, low- cycle fatigue (LFC) testing. Characterization indicated that Cu- 1.1% Hf exhibited the greatest potential as an improved-life thrust chamber material, exhibiting LCF life about four times that of NASA-Z. Other alloys (Cu- 0.6% Zr, and Cu- 0.6% Zr- 1.0% Cr) exhibited promise for use in this application, but needed more development work to balance properties. High-conductivity copper alloys, NASA-Z, thrust chamber materials, rapid solidification, powder metallurgy, dispersion strengthening, low-cycle fatigue, and thermal conductivity.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA251250
Entities
People
- J. S. Andrus
- R. G. Bourdeau
Organizations
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration