ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PEO-IWS3, SM-6, HLG FNC

 

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

 

OBJECTIVE: Develop a class of formable (plastically deformable), metal-based, combustible, composite materials with tailorable ignition and thermal energy release characteristics.

 

DESCRIPTION: Reactive materials/metal (RM) composites are materials that do not detonate but are still capable of releasing large amounts of chemical energy through combustion or similar exothermic chemical reactions.

Commonly, these materials are composed of one or more fine metal powders and binders that are blended and then pressed, sintered, or bonded by other means into a compact mass, generally with tailorable density. The final product is chemically and mechanically homogeneous with highly tailorable exotherms and/or combustion properties.

However, the resulting composites are often quite brittle and cannot be re-shaped by common metal working/tooling methods. What is missing in these materials is formability, the ability of a material (metal) to undergo plastic deformation without damage or fracture. The current goal of this SBIR topic is to create a class of reactive materials with tailorable exothermic, ignition and burn rate (energy release) characteristics that can be tooled and shaped using methods typically associated with metal processing: drawing, casting, pressing, extrusion, etc.

 

Because current reactive materials/metal composites tailored for high (combustion) energy release cannot be reshaped after they have been created, they have found only limited use in applications of interest to the Department of Navy (DoN) and Department of Defense (DoD). The U.S. Navy would like to remedy this problem and is seeking an innovative solution to develop novel reactive materials that can be specifically designed with variable exothermic/pyrotechnic and/or combustion characteristics and formability properties.

 

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor and/or subcontractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances, in order to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DSS and ONR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advanced phases of this contract.

 

PHASE I: Demonstrate the capability to design and create formable reactive composites. Develop several candidate materials with varied exothermic/combustion characteristics such as heat release/exotherm, ignition thresholds, flame temperatures, burn rates. Demonstrate of formability (plastic deformation) of these materials. Show that they can be rolled into sheets and/or drawn into wires and/or other novel conformations.

 

Assess standard thermal properties by methods such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo- gravimetric Analysis (TGA), standard mechanical properties by Instron stress/strain measurements, and multi- ingredient compatibility by Vacuum Thermal Stability testing (VTS) as outlined in MIL-STD-286C or equivalent, with common warhead and rocket motor ingredients including nitramine explosives, common polymeric binders, metal fuels, and strong oxidizers such as ammonium dinitramide and ammonium perchlorate. Develop a Phase II plan.

 

PHASE II: Choose the materials with the most promise; create sheets and wires with tailorable and predictable ignition thresholds and heat release/burn rates, amenable for use in warhead and propulsion system applications identified by the Navy TPOC; and show measurements of such combustion properties.