In current rocket engines there are problems with the short life span of turbine rocket discs. The goal of this project is to develop a new material for turbine discs constructed from laminated molybdenum-niobium. The technical objectives are to use explosive welding technology to bond sheets of niobium to sheets of molybdenum; bond multiple sheets of alternating molybdenum and niobium; perform tensile tests on molybdenum-niobium composites; and demonstrate that platinum can be bonded to niobium and molybdenum. If successful, sheets of molybdenum-niobium laminates will be tensile tested. These test results will show the suitability of the molybdenum-niobium laminate for use as a turbine disc. An improved disc could be used on engines such as the shuttle main engine which endure difficult conditions.If Phase II is successful, engine manufacturers could employ molybdenum-niobium turbine discs in jet engines.molybdenum, niobium, explosive, welding, turbine, discSTATUS: Phase I Only
