Near Net-Shape Ultra-High Melting Recession-Resistant Rocket Nozzles II: Low Cost Carbon-Carbon Technology for Use in Ultra-High Temperature Oxidative Environments

摘要

Carbon-carbon composites are ideal materials for high temperature structural uses, such as in rocket propulsion components, hypersonic vehicles, and aircraft brakes. In spite of their excellent properties, the use of carbon- carbon composites has been limited because of their high cost and rapid oxidation at elevated temperatures. Two novel approaches to solving these problems are described and these approaches are employed along with a ZrC/W- based nozzle insert to fabricate and test a recession-resistant carbon-carbon rocket nozzle as a potential replacement for solid tungsten nozzles.