Carbon Fibre Composites in Rocket Motor Systems,

Although carbon is contained in around 9O of all known chemical compounds, it has only recently had any marked effect as a structural material. This has been made possible by the discovery that certain synthetic polymeric fibres can be reduced to pure carbon or graphite with attractive mechanical properties and that these can subsequently be used for reinforcing composite materials. In rocket motor structures many of the applications call for materials that will withstand high temperatures and in this direction increasing use is being made of carbonresin materials as ablative liners. These have been shown to have improved properties over more conventional asbestosresin materials, with an added bonus of weight advantage. The recent introduction of high modulus carbon fibres into the resin composite technology has given impetus to the development, particularly in the area of rocket motor case manufacture. Although mechanical performance data is still limited, there is sufficient evidence to indicate that the basic weight of an unfilled motor and expansion cone may be halved by use of carbon fibre composites to the exclusion of all conventional materials.