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Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer

Joining Silicon Carbide Components for Space Propulsion, Phase I

Completed Technology Project

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Joining Silicon Carbide Components for Space Propulsion, Phase I

This SBIR Phase I program will identify the joining materials and demonstrate the processes that are suited for construction of advanced ceramic matrix composite (CMC) thrusters for advanced monopropellants and bipropellants for space propulsion. We will join CMCs to each other and to superalloys by brazing. In Phase I, we will experimentally evaluate and identify suitable active metal braze alloys through wetting experiments, brazing, microstructural examination, and shear strength measurements both at room temperature and 1100ºC. We will also demonstrate the feasibility of using stiff and compliant interlayers to increase the joint strength by reducing the thermal residual stresses in the joints. The Phase II project will demonstrate a working CMC HAN thruster using the joining technology developed in Phase I.

Anticipated Benefits

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CMC thrusters will also find applications in non-toxic propulsion systems to replace hydrazine-based systems for U.S. commercial satellite payloads, launch vehicle upper stages for launch service providers, and space vehicles for space tourism companies. The developed joining technology will also find applications in ceramic heat exchangers, pump components, and thermonuclear reactor components. Availability of low-cost CMC thrusters will advance HAN-based propellant system development, and will provide significant cost savings as well as fast delivery to accelerate development of next generation chemical propulsion systems. CMC thrusters or combustion chambers are needed for non-toxic engine technologies, including HAN-based propulsion systems, for sample return missions under the Science Mission Directorate (SMD) and for replacement of operational NTO/MMH engines in other in space propulsion applications. More »

Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners

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Organizations Performing Work	Role	Type	Location
Sienna Technologies, Inc.	Lead Organization	Industry	Woodinville, Washington
Glenn Research Center (GRC)	Supporting Organization	NASA Center	Cleveland, Ohio

Primary U.S. Work Locations

Ohio
Washington

Technology Transitions

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Transition Events

February 2011: Project Start

September 2011: Closed out More »

Project Management

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Technology Maturity (TRL)

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Start:	2
Current:	6
Estimated End:	6

Applied Research

Development

Demo & Test

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This is a historic project that was completed before the creation of TechPort on October 1, 2012. Available data has been included. This record may contain less data than currently active projects.

Joining Silicon Carbide Components for Space Propulsion, Phase I

Project Description

Anticipated Benefits

Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners

Primary U.S. Work Locations

Technology Transitions

Transition Events

Organizational Responsibility

Responsible Mission Directorate:

Lead Organization:

Responsible Program:

Project Management

Program Director:

Program Manager:

Principal Investigator:

Project Duration

Technology Maturity (TRL)

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