Investigation of solid rocket motor strength characteristics by employing composite materials

This paper presents the investigation of solid rocket motor by scientists of Kaunas University of technology Institute of defence technologies. Because of the mass and assembly complexity one proposes to use composite materials (carbon fiber) for motor case manufacturing. Filament winding method was implemented. For best composite performance determined optimal thickness of laminate and winding angles. For this application one uses 45 degrees, -45 degrees, 90 degrees winding angle patterns, witch let exploit the composite for maximum performance from probable composite fractures. For the thermal protection one uses "tanso" graphite to shield motor nozzle from composite delamination caused by high pressure, temperature and corrosion. Thermal shielding was modelled independently from composite model but used in the final model.