SBIR-STTR Award

The maturation of Titanium Matrix Composite into an affordable material system with production experience on the F-16 opens up a wide series of opportunities for improved propulsion performance. This SBIR builds on the baseline TMC demonstrations being conducted by FMW and ATK and extends them to advanced systems. The use of configured residual stress states and enhanced Titanium matrix systems offers the potential for 25% or more improvements in manufacturing for tactical missile systems. The proposed program will complete analytical models of the proposed material systems enhancements to an AMRAAM core and conducts critical material testing. A full scale Phase II case will be developed for Phase II fabrication.

Benefits:
A significant improvement in mass fraction will provide the improved missile kinematic performance required by future Air Force systems in the net centric warfare paradigm. The technology would be applicable to advanced AMRAAM as well as several standoff weapons. Successful demonstrations in the SBIR would position the technology for use in up coming DoD 6.4 missile programs.

Keywords:
Advanced motor cases, Titanium Matrix Composite components, managed residual stress, discontinuous titanium systems, improved mass fraction

The higher Mach number flight capability required in future missile systems has necessitated the development of advanced materials capable of surviving the increased thermal loads expected in these systems. Although previous research has indicated that titanium matrix composites (TMCs) are a potential solution to this problem, the high cost of these materials has severely hindered their consideration. Recently, FMW has developed a series of nano-enhanced titanium alloys that possess tensile properties nearly equal to those of TMCs. As the enhancement is achieved during spray atomization of the starting alloy powder, the enhanced alloys are essentially cost neutral relative to the base alloy. In this effort, FMW will demonstrate the successful scale-up of a nano-enhanced titanium pressure vessel through hot-rolled and welded-case process leaders. Once the baseline roll and welding technology is proven, two full-scale four inch diameter AMRAAM sized cases will be fabricated and tested. The first will be subjected to combined loads testing and hydro-burst, while the second will be insulated and static fired with a heavy wall nozzle and head closure. The results of the firing will be analyzed and revised case performance projections will be completed in the final report.

Keywords:
Nano-Enhanced Titanium Alloys, Tib, Titanium Matri