CERAMIC SYSTEMS FOR MISSILE STRUCTURAL APPLICA TIONS

Work was directed towards establishing operation al criteria for oxy-acetylene flame glazing of slip-cast fused silica radomes. Concurrently with this major emphasis, but at a lower rate of effort, work was directed towards improving the strength and thermal properties of slip-cast fused silica. The establishment of the arc plasma flame glazing parameters for the type C and modified type C radomes have been completed. Several unsuccessfull attempts were made to de velop a thick glaze with the arc-plasma flame. Work was initiated to determine the feasibility of using an oxy-acetylene flame instead of the arc-plasma flame in surface glazing (surface melting) slip-cast fused silica. The oxide ad ditions to fused silica slip work was continued. The preliminary NOTS rocket sled rain tests re sults indicated that slip-cast fused silica radomes would successfully survice severe rain erosion environments. (Author)