Abstract: A method for treating surfaces of carbon based materials produces a layer of hafnium carbide with no significant change of the location of the surface or the dimension of the part being treated. A slurry containing elemental hafnium is applied to this surface. The surface is heat treated in a vacuum furnace, causing the hafnium in the slurry to form an HfC layer within the material, and remove all other slurry materials from the surface. In a variation of the method, the slurry may also contain silicon and chromium to catalyze the reaction. The treated surface exhibits improved properties for components of high temperature gas flow handling systems. The method is useful for valves and ducts having complex internal surface geometries.

Abstract: A burst diaphragm sequence valve which effectively combines the structure a burst diaphragm with that of an ordinary swing check valve, the pivot of the ordinary swing check valve being replaced by an integral flexural hinge. The sequence valve provides a way to sequentially burn solid propellant hot gas generators which exit into a common gas manifold, thereby enabling gas-powered devices to operate for a longer time than the duration of one gas generator burn.

Abstract: A high-temperature thermal insulation quilt assemblage consisting of an inner quilt and an outer quilt, each cut according to a pattern so as to conform to the shape and wrap around an object having a surface temperature as high as 3000.degree. F. during operation. The inner and outer quilt each include a silicic-impregnated quartz fabric case, multiple blankets of ceramic insulation material, and quartz-fiber thread cross-stitching to reduce quilt thickness. The inner quilt additionally includes a tantalum foil inserted between two blankets of ceramic insulation material, and sewn-on tie straps. The outer quilt additionally includes sewn-on lacing strips for securing outer quilt abutting edges together; the outermost surface is coated with silicone rubber.