SBIR-STTR Award

Sordal proposes to design and develop a novel composite material composed of polyimide foam filled into a honeycomb core structure. The resultant composite panel would be thermally stable from -300C to over +500C. It is be possible to heat set the panels to a specific radius and thereafter join them in a spherical or cylindical shape or combination thereof for use in tank construction. Anticipated Benefits/Commercial Applications: Fuel tanks for aerospace and space craft, cryogenic gas storage tanks

Keywords:
"composite materials", "honeycomb core", "flame resistant", "propellant tanks", "cryogenic", "stealth", "lightweight", "launch vehicles"

Sordal proposes for this MDA SBIR Phase II to integrate advanced aerospace and Sordal proprietary materials into an innovative composite design for the laser reactant tanks in the Airborne Laser (ABL) Program. Sordal's composite tank design will deliver a system that is 30% lighter in weight than alternative carbon fiber and stainless steel designs, and will incorporate a thermal protection system (TPS) to insulate chemical components against decomposing environments while adding to the structural integrity of the reactant tank. Beyond weight reduction, the Sordal composite tanks are designed to hold pressures up to 5,000 psi (vs. 2500 psi specified), be highly resistant to wear, non-flammable, chemically inert, resistant to moisture regain, have Limiting Oxygen Index (LOI) of 68%, and maintain isothermal conditions during flight. Sordal's TPS is designed to be steady state at +/- 1ºF from minus -400ºF to plus +600ºF. In parallel, Sordal will be committed to further explore its PBO-polyimide manufacturing technologies to make composite pipe, valves, and fittings to reduce vehicle weight on land, sea, air, and space.

Keywords:
pbo fiber, composite materials, chemical tanks, lightweight, non-flammable, pressure vessels, low fst (fire smoke toxicity), thermal protection system