Game Changing Technology Development Program Ultra-Light Weight Core Materials for Efficient Load Bearing Composite Sandwich Structures (ATK Proposal SPC. MAGN.2015.10106)

Over the past twenty years the advancements in core materials have remained stagnant, while the advancements in fiber and resin combinations (prepregs) have improved structural performance. The limitations in existing core materials translate into detrimental limitations in launch vehicle performance. Furthermore, the structural designer is constrained to step-function selections of core performance attributes that leads to non-optimized designs. ATK proposes to achieve the high-performance structural goals NASA has set forth by applying a novel carbon nanotube (CNT)solution. It is our expectation that such an approach will lead to improved structural performance in areas such as: o Increased mechanical strength and modulus o Temperature resistance o Moisture resistance o Energy absorption o Decreased mass o Multifunctional attributes o Impact strength o Thermal management These improvement have cross-cutting applications for all mission phases. More »