Unique material requirements in the Space Shuttle Main EnginesComponents operating in staged-combustion cycle liquid fuel rocket engines such as the Space Shuttle Main Engines (SSMEs) are subjected to severe temperature changes during start/stop transients, together with extremely high pressures, corrosive gases, high fluid velocities, demanding weight-control criteria, etc. Attention is given to the selection and application of metallic and nonmetallic materials for high temperature resistance, cryogenic properties, and hydrogen and oxygen compatibility. The materials in question include polyimides, Kel-F, Armalon, and Teflon among plastics, and gold and copper platings, weld-overlays and heat treatment modifications among metals and metallic processing techniques. The polymeric materials are oxygen-resistant, and the metallic ones hydrogen-resistant.
Document ID
19840059944
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Fulton, D. L. (Rockwell International Corp. Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Shoemaker, M. C. (Rockwell International Corp. Canoga Park, CA, United States)
Bashir, S. (Rockwell International Corp. Rocketdyne Div., Canoga Park, CA, United States)