A thermoset composite component has solved a problem encountered in recent trials of tactical missiles by the US military. Recent performance trials of tactical missiles by the US military revealed a major design deficiency that was solved by the use of a fabricated thermoset composite component. Exposed to tremendous heat and pressure inside a fired missile, the specified thermoplastic component responsible for holding the solid propellant stable would sometimes break free from the solid propellant surrounding it and shoot out of the rocket motor. With the component no longer in place, the rocket exhaust could not direct the rocket and keep the missile on course. What is more, the displaced component was also a danger to aircraft and personnel in the area. The US military replaced the thermoplastic part with one made of a high performance thermoset composite material. A combination of phenolic resin and fibreglass, the new component has the strength and heat resistance to hold its position in a flaming stream of rocket exhaust. In addition, the material does not corrode, even when encased for years in solid rocket propellant. Possible alternatives were considered, including moulddable phenolic-fibreglass, metal, and ceramics.
Thermosets take the heat and pressure in missile propulsion systems
Reinforced Plastics ; 50 , 3 ; 62-64
2006
3 Seiten, 4 Bilder
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Englisch
Springer Verlag | 2016
|TIBKAT | 1996
|MISSILE PROPULSION DIRECTION CONTROL DEVICE AND MISSILE
Europäisches Patentamt | 2016
|Aircraft and missile propulsion
SLUB | 1958
|