SBIR-STTR Award

The objective of this proposal is the development of a tantalum to zirconium bonding technique suitable for air-to-air warheads and other munitions. The chosen approach is hot isostatic pressing diffusion bonding. Because of related experience with HIP diffusion bonding of titanium to tantalum, and because of similarities in chemical behavior and phase diagrams, it is firmly believed that this is an eminentaly suitable approach. Full metallugical bonds have already been demonstrated between titanium and tantalum that exhibit high strength and ductility. The process can be economically scaled for production with exhisting equipment

The objective of this Effort is the development of a Tantalum-Zirconium bonding technique suitable for air-to-air warheads and other munitions applications. Phase concentrates on proving the Metallurgical feasibility of joining, by HIP (hot isostatic pressing) diffusion bonding, 1.5mm zirconium sheet to 3mm tantalum plate in a sandwich configuration, and establishing the potential for this processing route to produce bonds of acceptable strength. These goals and objectives have already been substantially met

Keywords:
Hot Isostatic Pressing, Air-To-Air Warheads,Diffusion Bonding, Tantalum-Zirconium Bonding,Munitions