Performance of Materials in Solid Propellant Rocket Motor Exhaust Environments

An extensive program has been conducted to evaluate the performance of a broad spectrum of heatshield materials in the near-field exhaust regions of solid propellant rocket motors. Environmental emphasis focused on motors which produce a high concentration of alumina particles in the exhaust flow field. Testing was performed using various tactical missile motors and specially-designed solid propellant rocket motor simulators. Specimens surveyed included a wide variety of commercially available and specialty heatshield materials. Materials were evaluated from a weight and cost basis, as well as from a relative erosion standpoint.