ATC Materials has developed a silicon nitride radome material called reduced density injection moldable pressureless sintered silicon nitride based on ATC's pre ceramic binder technology and previous nitride ceramic work. The goal of the proposed work for Phase I is to further refine and optimize the material formulation and to further characterize the material for radome applications. ATC will also, as part of the Phase I option, mold subscale radomes and begin to develop conversion/burnout and sintering processes for the subscale radomes.
Benefit: In addition to creating a lower cost and next generation missile radome material, the work proposed here will have the benefit of making silicon nitride parts more affordable and may also allow the use of silicon nitride in applications where its use was previously cost prohibitive. ATC's silicon nitride will have applications in aerospace and defense as radomes and antenna windows, industrial markets as abrasion resistant parts and consumer markets as potential telecommunications windows.
Keywords: Radome, Radome, next generation radomes, Moldable, reduced density, RBSN, RIPS, Silicon Nitride, hypersonic radomes
