A craft-specific Structural Repair Manual (SRM) for composite components is developed to guide craft technicians through in-situ repairs for a wide-range of in-service damage scenarios. Accompanying material kit recommendations and critical flaw size guidance documentation enable high-quality out-of-autoclave repairs. Materials Sciences LLC (MSC) is an engineering and manufacturing company focused on applying material mechanics to create unique solutions for DOD and commercial customers. Although tailored specifically for the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) components, the analysis and validation procedures developed can be appropriated for various composite crafts and their associated components. A zonal mapping system, in which micromechanics data is assessed alongside global stress analysis, provides further localized damage information. MSC aims to collaborate with additional DOD platforms that require robust composite damage and repair modeling systems.
The integration of advanced materials, low cost fabrication techniques and specialized plating techniques using a knowledge-based toolset enables efficient design and production of metallic coated polymer components for low-cost, high performance structures. Materials Sciences LLC (MSC) is an engineering and manufacturing company applying our knowledge of advanced material mechanics to create unique products and solutions for DOD and commercial customers. Defense applications for this technology include surface ship and underwater vehicle components, ground vehicles, aircraft and spacecraft components. The key enabling capability is sustainable production of low cost, lightweight components with improved performance. Material and process trials have shown potential for superior performance, reduced weight and/or lower cost. Input from the defense customer and prime contractors on applicable parts and requirements will facilitate rapid transition.
The Improved Skirt System for Air Cushion Vehicles (ACV) uses a new elastomer coating technique to create a strong, abrasion resistant textile to withstand extreme physical requirements. Materials Sciences LLC (MSC) is an engineering and manufacturing company focused on applying knowledge of material mechanics to create unique solutions. The skirt system for the Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) sees perhaps the most extreme punishment of any coated fabric, resulting in high replacement costs and down-time. MSC’s approach uses an alternative coating method which enables high-performance textile designs that are incompatible with conventional techniques. The product has shown superior performance to the existing product. MSC is currently tooling up production capabilities to support the SSC integrator as a new material supplier for the skirt fabricator.
The sinking hose system for the Amphibious Bulk Liquid Transfer System (ABLTS) is a high-pressure collapsible hose which will remain stable on the seafloor when filled with fuel yet is “lay-flat” so that it can be stored in containers. Materials Sciences Corporation, a small business that performs design, analysis, testing, product development, and low rate production of fiber reinforced materials and products, applies a legacy of analytical mechanics to create and produce new products and services with high-tech materials. This product replaces the floating, low-pressure ABLTS hose with a 500 psi, sea-floor hose that is still deployed from lighterage vessels. MSC has demonstrated feasibility of integrating heavy layers while maintaining flexibility and the exposure of the materials to water and fuel.
Materials Sciences Corporation (MSC), of Horsham, Pennsylvania, in partnership with Seemann Composites Inc. (SCI), of Gulfport, Mississippi have designed, fabricated and proof-tested a lightweight, durable, corrosion-resistant composite stern ramp for the Navy’s Landing Craft Air Cushion Vehicle (LCAC-43). Successful proof-testing of the first-article stern ramp prototype has demonstrated the superior durability and structural performance of the composite solution while realizing weight savings projections of approximately 40% over in-service aluminum ramps. The MSC/SCI team is currently in the process of leveraging this successful demonstration in the development of a composite bow ramp structural solution. Pending the successful demonstration of a bow ramp prototype, Navy PMS-377 projections indicate the potential for significant operational life-cycle cost savings for the LCAC100 fleet through the implementation of composite vehicle ramps.
The low cost, mid-frequency, composite sonar dome being designed for the DDG-1000 class ship is fabricated using state of the art, out-of-autoclave composite from a material system qualified for Navy Structures. The design and qualification of the dome will be done in accordance with Navy approved procedures by the Materials Sciences Corporation, a composites development company with capabilities in design, analysis, and testing of high-performance structures for military and civilian use. MSC's manufacturing partner, Seemann Composites Inc, has a proven track record of delivering large-scale Naval components fabricated using the Seemann Composites Resin Infusion Molding Process (SCRIMP). A phase 3 SBIR project is being considered to have the MSC / SCI team produce a sonar dome to be used on the DDG-1002 with a potential option to produce spares for DDG-1000 and 1001. When completed, the product will outperform hand-layup composite.