SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION

PROJECT SUMMARY

Contract Id:

NAS 8 40675

Proposal Number:

04.01-1354

Project Title:

RAPID DENSIFICATION OF CERAMIC MATRIX COMPOSITES

Technical Abstract:

Low-cost, reliable densification of ceramic matrix composites is of critical importance to NASA and many commercial applications. Present densification technologies are slow, need very high temperatures and use densification aids which leave reliability-crippling impurities after densification. The proposed innovation can enable densification at rates that are orders of magnitude faster and at temperatures that are more than 500 C lower the best available technology today; furthermore, the innovation can lead to a densification technology that works without expensive and impurity inducing densification aids. In cursory investigations, NRC has obtained encouraging results supporting the proposed innovation. The Phase I seeks to systematically establish the proof-of-concept; Phase II will optimize, scale-up and produce prototype components for NASA and lead commercial customers; Phase III will commercialize the technology.

Potential Commercial Applications:

Potential applications of low temperature, rapid densification technology extends to many industries. The enormous savings in energy consumed to form useful ceramic components with associated reduction in pollutant (NOx) formation in kilns is of interest not only to ceramic- matrix composite manufacturers but also for cleaner environment.

Name and Address of Offeror:

Nanomaterials Research Corporation
10960 North Stallard Place
Tucson, AZ 85737-9527