Abstract: Multiwall insulating sandwich panels are provided for thermal protection of hypervelocity vehicles and other enclosures. In one embodiment of the invention the multiwall panels are formed of alternate layers of dimpled and flat metal (titanium alloy) foil sheets and beaded scarfed edge seals to provide enclosure thermal protection up to 1000.degree. F. An additional embodiment employs an intermediate fibrous insulation for the sandwich panel to provide thermal protection up to 2000.degree. F. and a third embodiment employs a silicide coated columbium waffle as the outer panel skin and fibrous layered intermediate protection for thermal environment protection up to 2500.degree. F.The use of multiple panels of the present invention on an enclosure facilitate repair and refurbishment of the thermal protection system due to the simple support provided by the tab and clip attachment for the panels.

Abstract: A composite laminate capable of exposure to high temperature differentials without damage, comprising a first layer, a second layer and an intermediate web interface layer of a low modulus metallic low density structure having a high melting point. The first layer is secured to the low modulus structure directly or through an intermediate composite layer, and the second layer is bonded or secured to the intermediate low modulus layer. The thermal strains caused by a temperature differential between the first and second layers are taken up without harmful effect by the intermediate low modulus web layer.

Abstract: Coating of woven materials so that not only the outer surfaces are coated has been a problem. Now, a solution to that problem is the following: Woven materials are coated with materials, for example with metals or with pyrolytic carbon, which materials are deposited in Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) reactions using a fluidized bed so that the porosity of the woven material is retained and so that the tiny filaments which make up the strands which are woven (including inner as well as outer filaments) are substantially uniformly coated.

Abstract: A skin construction suitable for use as a high temperature airfoil surface that includes a metallic member having first and second corrugations. The first corrugations have a size and spacing which permits resilient thermal expansion of the member in a direction transverse to the direction of the first corrugations. The second corrugations are positioned in a direction that is substantially transverse to the direction of the first corrugations and the second corrugations have a size and spacing which permits resilient thermal expansion of the member in a direction generally transverse to the direction of the second corrugations.An imperforate metallic surface is integral with the metallic member. Thermal stresses imposed on the skin construction are, thus, absorbed by deformation of the first and second corrugations which act as expansion joints in permitting controlled expansion of the skin construction.

Abstract: A laminated thermal insulation sheeting for covering ducts and pipes wrapped up by a thermal insulator such as glass wool and rock wool, includes an aluminum sheet and a metal network disposed on and over a surface of the aluminum sheet. A substantially transparent film of synthetic resin is placed on the metal network and has portions bonded to the surface of the aluminum sheet through interstices in the metal network. The aluminum sheet comprises aluminum foil or an aluminum-metallized film of synthetic resin, and may be lined with a backing material.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for pretreating graphite fibers and woven graphite preforms so that they may be wetted and infiltrated by molten metals such as aluminum and alloys thereof. Pretreatment includes immersing graphite fibers or preforms in a bath of liquid NaK alloy at room temperature. The pretreatment allows a lower temperature and shorter immersion time than prior art processes and permits improved wetting and infiltration by the molten metal constituting the matrix of a graphite fiber reinforced metal composite.

Abstract: A composite material of a ferrous cladding material and an aluminum cast matrix which composite material exhibits excellent performance and a method for producing the same which can be carried out quite easily. The composite material comprises a ferrous cladding material, powder particles bonded to the ferrous cladding material, seizing portions defined by the powder particles, and a cast matrix of aluminum or its alloy held by the seizing portions. The method comprises the steps of spreading powder particles over a ferrous cladding material, bonding the powder particles to the ferrous cladding material by sintering, and casting aluminum or its alloy over the sintered surface. Further, a metallic layer can be formed between the bonded powder particles and the cast aluminum, by plating.

Abstract: In panels for use particularly in the aeronautics industry comprising a metal support foil to which is adhered a fiber-reinforced metal matrix layer, the fibers being of high mechanical strength and modulus, the invention provides the improvement of interposing a thin layer of a bonding metal or alloy between the support foil and the fiber-reinforced metal matrix layer.The bonding metal layer serves to improve the adhesion of the metal matrix to the support foil and enables the metal matrix layer to be produced under less severe conditions.

Abstract: Light metal composite materials reinforced with novel continuous silicon carbide fibers composed of aluminum, aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy matrix and the continuous silicon carbide fibers containing 0.01-40% by weight of free carbon, in which the free carbon is reacted with aluminum or added metal elements in the aluminum alloy or magnesium alloy to form carbides. When the silicon carbide fibers are coated with a metal or ceramics, the wettability of the silicon carbide fibers to said matrix is more improved.

Abstract: Chromium base alloy composite materials having high corrosion resistance, idation resistance and tensile strength at high temperatures are produced by laminating and arranging silicon carbide fibers containing 0.01-20% by weight of free carbon, which have been produced by the specific method already disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 677,960, in volume fraction of 2-50% in chromium base alloy and by compressing and sintering the assembly.

Abstract: A method of making a composite article having at least a minimum selected impact strength by first obtaining the impact energy absorption/shear strength relationship for the collimated filaments and matrix material comprising the article. Impact strength is improved by the selection of the relative bond strengths between constituents and the orientation of selected matrix materials relative to the impact surface of the article.

Abstract: The composite filament laminates of a composite blade are splayed at the root thereof to receive metallic inserts therebetween. A transition material having a modulus of elasticity greater than that of the inserts and less than that of the laminates is bonded therebetween to more uniformly distribute the blade loadings into the root region.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced metal composite comprising magnesium or a magnesium alloy containing substantially aligned, polycrystalline alumina fibers which have certain surface roughness characteristics and contain at least 80% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 by weight.