Expertise

MR&D has capabilities in wide range of composite design & analysis and component manufacturing projects. Typical programs at MR&D focus on simultaneous design of material and structure to optimize component cost, weight, and/or thermomechanical performance. Additional programs focus on research into behavior of composite materials and constituents and the development of micromechanical models to analyze and understand observed properties. The analytical approach employed by MR&D is based on a practical understanding of engineering issues founded on a strong background of theoretical mechanics.  Generally, it involves:

• Material Modeling: Submicromechanical to Minimechanical Analysis
• Structural Response: Static, Dynamic (Time History, Random Shock), and Nonlinear (Material and Geometric)
• Heat Transfer: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation
• Fluid Mechanics: Fluid Flow and Conjugate Heat Transfer Problems

The principals at MR&D have worked in the field of composite materials since the early 1980s. Since our founding in 1996, we have primarily focused on the analysis and design of refractory materials for propulsion, thermal protection, and thermal management applications. These refractory materials include both refractory composites and refractory metals. The refractory composites include carbon-carbon, carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites, silicon carbide fiber reinforced silicon carbide matrix composites, and oxide/oxide composites. The refractory metals include rhenium, molybdenum, molybdenum-rhenium, TZM and other high temperature metals.

Our experience in propulsion system work has focused on contributions to the analysis and design of high performance and innovative designs for rocket nozzles. It also includes efforts to the analysis and design of actively cooled, high temperature CMC panels for rocket and scramjet propulsion systems.

In the area of thermal protection system work, MR&D has been heavily involved in the analysis and design of C-C and ceramic matrix composites for wing leading edges, hot structure control surfaces, and acreage regions of hypersonic and re-entry vehicles.

Our work in thermal management has included the analysis and design of satellite radiator panels, thermal doublers, and avionics thermal planes using high thermal conductivity composite materials, including C-C, organic matrix and metal matrix composite materials.

The fundamental understanding of thermostructural behavior can also be applied to process modeling.  We have used process modeling to define pressure-temperature-time histories to successfully consolidate refractory materials via hot isostatic pressing (HIP).  Additionally, we have evaluated pore pressures and residual stresses to prevent delaminations during initial carbonization of 2D carbon-carbon composites.