Chapter 58. Gelcast AS800 Materials Characterization for Rocket Engine Applications
- Todd Jessen,
- Ersan Ustundag
Published Online: 28 MAR 2008
DOI: 10.1002/9780470294635.ch58
Copyright © 2000 The American Ceramic Society
Book Title
24th Annual Conference on Composites, Advanced Ceramics, Materials, and Structures: B: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 21, Issue 4
Additional Information
How to Cite
Khoshbin, S. R. (2008) Gelcast AS800 Materials Characterization for Rocket Engine Applications, in 24th Annual Conference on Composites, Advanced Ceramics, Materials, and Structures: B: Ceramic Engineering and Science Proceedings, Volume 21, Issue 4 (eds T. Jessen and E. Ustundag), John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, USA. doi: 10.1002/9780470294635.ch58
Publication History
- Published Online: 28 MAR 2008
- Published Print: 1 JAN 2000
Book Series:
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9780470375693
Online ISBN: 9780470294635
- Summary
- Chapter
Keywords:
- gelcast silicon nitride;
- light weight thrust chamber assembly;
- virgin material.;
- rocket propulsion technology;
- space shuttle main engine
Summary
The material properties for a gelcast silicon nitride (ASSOO) manufactured by AlliedSignal Ceramic Components of Torrance, California were characterized under the Air Force sponsored Light Weight Thrust Chamber Assembly (LWTCA) Program. The testing results summarized in this paper include tensile, flexural strength, compressive strength, interrupted stress rupture, thermal cycle, fracture toughness, low cycle fatigue, and elastic moduli determinations. In addition, the results for a series of tests determining the effect of simulated rocket engine environment on AS800 are included. Specimens were exposed to hydrogen, water, and oxygen at approximate temperature and pressures of engine operation. After exposure, the retained flexural strength of the specimen was measured and compared to the strength of virgin material. Environmental effects for as-sintered specimens and machined specimen surfaces were measured. The test temperatures included cryogenic (–320°F), ambient and elevated (2000°F).
The characterization of AS800 yielded data consistent with Allied Signal published data. The environmental exposure data showed that there are some effects on the retained properties of AS800 from exposure to oxygen and water combinations. The effects were statistically significant for machined specimens exposed to oxygen with 10% water. The effects for other environmental conditions were not as severe and more data is needed to quantify the effects.