Polysilazane Enhanced Nanocomposite Thermal Protection System Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Topic No.: N141-080 Topic Title: Polysilazane Enhanced Nanocomposite Thermal Protection System Proposal No.: N141-080-0967 Firm: KION defense Technologies Inc 1957A Pioneer Rd Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania 19006 Contact: Frank Kuchinski Phone: (215) 682-2060 Web Site: www.kiondefense.com Abstract: KiON Defense Technologies, Inc. (KDT) has teamed with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company (LM) and Materials Research & Design, Inc. (MR&D) to demonstrate the effectiveness of a low areal density Thermal Protection System (TPS) for Navy reentry bodies. The new TPS system will incorporate KDT's unique commercial polysilazane products as well as nanoreinforcing materials into baseline Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) structures to decrease thermal conductivity and increase char yield, thus permitting reduced thickness and lower weight structures. KDT will formulate, prepare and test a series of improved TPS coupons for thermal, mechanical, and laser ablation prescreening during Phase I using our low cost, advanced commercial resins. LM will assist in providing the system requirements and suggested Phase I tests, while MR&D will support the program through various modeling, analyses and materials recommendations. The results of the Phase I will provide sufficient materials and modeling data to demonstrate the feasibility of this technology for deployment on Navy missile platforms, such as Lockheed Martin's Trident II (D5) missile. The Phase II effort will continue development and more extensive testing, with scale-up for prototype ground-based aerothermal load testing and analysis to pave the way for Phase III Scale up and eventual flight testing. Benefits: Successful completion of this program will yield a new class of affordable, high performance Thermal Protection Systems. Along with demonstration of manufacturability, these materials will be shown to provide high temperature strength and durability, including thermomechanical performance, abrasion and erosion resistance, oxidation and ablation resistance, and good insulating properties. The program focuses on military applications, particularly TPS and other aero-surfaces, but could also be useful in automotive, industrial, and other applications that require these characteristics. Return