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Thermal barriers developed for solid rocket motor nozzle joints
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Steinetz, Bruce M. Dunlap Jr., Patrick H. |
| Copyright Year | 2000 |
| Description | Space shuttle solid rocket motor case assembly joints are sealed with conventional O-ring seals that are shielded from 5500 F combustion gases by thick layers of insulation and by special joint-fill compounds that fill assembly splitlines in the insulation. On a number of occasions, NASA has observed hot gas penetration through defects in the joint-fill compound of several of the rocket nozzle assembly joints. In the current nozzle-to-case joint, NASA has observed penetration of hot combustion gases through the joint-fill compound to the inboard wiper O-ring in one out of seven motors. Although this condition does not threaten motor safety, evidence of hot gas penetration to the wiper O-ring results in extensive reviews before resuming flight. The solid rocket motor manufacturer (Thiokol) approached the NASA Glenn Research Center at Lewis Field about the possibility of applying Glenn's braided fiber preform seal as a thermal barrier to protect the O-ring seals. Glenn and Thiokol are working to improve the nozzle-to-case joint design by implementing a more reliable J-leg design and by using a braided carbon fiber thermal barrier that would resist any hot gases that the J-leg does not block. |
| File Size | 244511 |
| File Format | |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 2000-03-01 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Spacecraft Propulsion And Power Rocket Nozzles Braided Composites Carbon Fibers Joints Junctions Thermal Resistance O Ring Seals Thermal Insulation High Temperature Tests Rocket Engine Cases Space Shuttle Boosters Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
