Technology and materials for space applications

Aerospace propulsion

Solid propellants steady and unsteady combustion
Ignition, combustion, extinction and frequency response are investigated in the pressure range from vacuum up to 250 atm. CO2 laser systems (50 and 150 W) are used to study propellant decomposition under the Pressure Deflagration Limit or to study the burning propellants dynamic behaviour (extinction and frequency response). Burning propellant extinction is also obtained by a specific apparatus able to generate fast depressurization of the combustion chamber.
Solid propellants “On-Off” micromotor
The micromotor is designed for satellite position control and/or deorbiting. The system requires the capability to generate ignition, driven combustion followed by extinction sequencies under vacuum and microgravity conditions. The experimental apparatus is equipped by an High Voltage power supply able to operate below the propellant Pressure Deflagration Limit.
Thermal protection characterization
Studies aimed to define the influence of the motor thermal protections on the residual thrust generated at the end of the motor life are carried out by laser systems.

Advanced materials production and characterization

Combustion Synthesis
Production of  Intermetallics, Ceramics and Functionally Graded Materials, using powder mixture, are performed inside a reaction chamber using a laser system for controlling the pressed powder mixture heating and ignition processes. Tests carried out under microgravity conditions requires a special module to be install on board of ESA parabolic flight.
Nanostructured materials
One stage and two stages gasdynamic guns are used for producing nanostructured materials by accelerating a projectile featured by different impact energy and momentum. Both guns are equipped by optical systems for projectile velocity measurement.
Thermophysical properties
Thermal conductivity and heat capacity dependence on temperature and porosity of porous and fully dense materials is studies by using a diode laser system (250 W)  The laser system is driven by a PC for obtain different sample heating rates of the sample placed inside the test chamber filled by Argon gas at subatmospheric pressure.
Dynamic behaviour of NiTi SMA wires
The operating frequency of actuators, made by NiTi wires, is defined by performing cycling tests and simulating the results concerning the heating and cooling transients.

Facilities

• Apparata equipped with different test chambers, working from vacuum up to 250 atm, completed by diagnostics for steady and unsteady measurements are available
• Depending on the peculiarity of the test, CO2 laser systems (50 and 150 W), Diode laser (250 W), High voltage power supply, can be installed
• IR-Thermocamera (0-900 °C)
• Gasdynamic accelerators such as two-stage light-gas guns are used to produce new materials by shock compression of nano-powders. Projectiles (1-20 g) moving at lower speeds (500-2000 m/s) can be used for producing materials by shock compression of nano-powders

Selection of published papers

• B. V. Novozhilov, C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, “Solid Propellant Extinction by Laser Pulse”, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotecnics, Official Journal of the International Pyrotecnics Society, Vol. 25, pp.317-324, December 2000
• Zanotti C., Giuliani P., Volpi A., “Vacuum System for Space Propulsion Study”, Vuoto scienza e tecnologia, Vol. XXIX- N.1/2 Gennaio-Giugno 2000
• Zanotti C., Kohno M., D’Andrea B., Volpi A., Giuliani P,, Ferrari T.” Sub-scale Tests for Scientific Investigations, System Application and Cost Reduction” Second European Conference on “ Space Solid Propulsion”, 21-24 November, 2000, Rome, Italy, CD-ROM Rome 2000
• K. Hori, M. Kohno, A. Volpi, C. Zanotti, K. Kato, S. Miyazaki, “Burning Rate & PDL Characteristics of a GAP/AP Propellant System” Combustion of Energetic Materials Book, Editor K.K. Kuo and L. T. DeLuca, Begell House Inc. 2002
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, M. Kohno, “Thermal Protection Wall-Effect on the Combustion of Solid Propellant at Subatmospheric Pressure”, Combustion of Energetic Materials Book, Editor K.K. Kuo and L. T. DeLuca, Begell House Inc. 2002
• B. V. Novozhilov, C. Zanotti , “Solid Propellant Combustion close to the Pressure Deflagration Limit”, 3rd ISAS-TEMPE joint workshop on Space Propulsion and Related Materials, Bonassola , (SP), 3-5 June, 2001. Proceedings on CD-ROM 2002
• C. Zanotti “ON-OFF Solid Propellant Motor for Space Applications”, 3rd ISAS-TEMPE joint workshop on Space Propulsion and Related Materials, Bonassola, (SP), 3-5 June, 2001. Proceedings on CD-ROM 2002
• Modeling of ignition phenomena in Combustion Synthesis., N. Bertolino, M. Monagheddu, P. Giuliani, A. Tacca and C. Zanotti, “Ninth SIAM International Conference on Numerical Combustion” Sorrento, 7-10 April 2002. Proceedings book, pp.233-234, 2002
• Ignition phenomena in SHS. A new experimental methodology, M. Monagheddu, N. Bertolino, P. Giuliani, C. Zanotti, U. Anselmi Tamburini, J. Appl. Phys., 92 (1), 594-599 2002
• Boride-Based FGM Prepared by Combustion Synthesis, M. Monagheddu, N. Bertolino, P. Giuliani and C. Zanotti, U. Anselmi Tamburini, A. Tacca. “2002 International Conference on Functionally Graded Materials” Denver, Colorado, 6-7 May 2002. Proceedings book pp. 137-143, 2002
• Ignition Phenomena in Combustion Synthesys. A semi-empirical approach, N. Bertolino, M. Monagheddu, A. Tacca, P. Giuliani and C. Zanotti, U. Anselmi Tamburini. “2002 World congress on powder Metallurgy” Orlando, 16-21 June 2002. Proceedings book pp. 1-157/1-167, 2002
• SHS Synthesis of FGM for thermal barrier applications., M. Monagheddu, N. Bertolino, A. Tacca, P. Giuliani and C. Zanotti, U. Anselmi Tamburini,“ 2002 World congress on powder Metallurgy” Orlando, Folrida 16-21 June 2002. Proceedings book pp. 1-168/1-174, 2002
• A. Paolozzi, M.A. Caponero, F. Felli, C. Zanotti, “Fibre Optic Smart Structures at High Temperatures”, Workshop Multifuntion Sensors for Structural Health Monitoring in Aerospace Structures (MUSEAS 1), Workshop 2001, Capua, Italy, Proceedings ON CD-ROM 2002
• N. Bertolino, M. Monagheddu, A. Tacca, P. Giuliani, C. Zanotti, U. Anselmi Tamburini, Ignition mechanism in combustion synthesis of Ti-Al abd Ti-Ni systems, Intermetallics,Vol. 11,pp.41-49, 2003
• N. Bertolino, M. Monagheddu, A. Tacca, P. Giuliani, C. Zanotti, F. Maglia, U. Anselmi Tamburini, “Combustion Synthesis of FGMs as Thermal Protection Systems for High Temperature Applications”, Journal of Materials Research, Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 448-455, February 2003
• N. Bertolino, M. Monagheddu, A. Tacca, P. Giuliani, C. Zanotti “Functionally Graded Materials as Thermal Protection Systems”, 4th European Workshop “Hot Structures and Thermal Protection Systems for Space Vehicles”, Proceedings book pp. 155-160, ESA SP-521, April 2003
• M.L. Muolo, E. Ferrera, L. Morbelli, C. Zanotti and A. Passerone “ Joining of Zirconium Boride Based refractory Ceramics to Ti6Al4V”, 9th International Symposium on ‘Materials in a Space Environment’ Proceedings book pp. 467-472, ESA SP-540, September 2003
• P. Giuliani and C. Zanotti “Advanced materials production and characterization”, 4th JAXA_IENI Joint Workshop on Solid Propulsion and Related Materials, Proceedings book -ISBN 88-8080-048-5, Milano, 2004
• Tacca, Filippo Maglia, Umberto Anselmi-Tamburini, P. Giuliani and C. Zanotti “Functionally Graded Materials As Thermal Protection Systems ”, 4th JAXA_IENI Joint Workshop on Solid Propulsion and Related Materials, Proceedings book -ISBN 88-8080-048-5, Milano, 2004
• C. Zanotti, A. Tacca, P. Giuliani “Ignition of powder mixtures: numerical approach”, 4th JAXA_IENI Joint Workshop on Solid Propulsion and Related Materials, Bonassola, Proceedings book -ISBN 88-8080-048-5, Milano, 2004
• C. Zanotti and P. Giuliani “CO2 Laser Applications In The Combustion of Energetic Materials”, 4th JAXA_IENI Joint Workshop on Solid Propulsion and Related Materials, Proceedings book -ISBN 88-8080-048-5, Milano, 2004
• C. Zanotti. P. Giuliani, P. Russo, A. Zonca, A. Terrosu, P. Corciulo, L. Soffientini “Combustion Synthesis under Reduced Gravity: Parabolic Flight Technique”, 4th JAXA_IENI Joint Workshop on Solid Propulsion and Related Materials, Proceedings book -ISBN 88-8080-048-5, Milano, 2004
• C. Zanotti, A. Tacca, N. Bertolino, M. Monagheddu, P. Giuliani, “Thermal Explosion of Powder Mixtures: Numerical Approach”, Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotecnics, Official Journal of the International Pyrotecnics Society, Vol 29, 2, pp. 112-117, 2004
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani and F. Maglia “Combustion synthesis of Co-Al and Ni-Al systems under reduced gravity”, Intermetallics, 14, 213-219, 2006
• C. Zanotti, G. Riva, A. Reggiori, G. Daminelli, P. Giuliani, “Shock Compression of powders by Two-Stage Gasdynamic Gun”; published on Advanced in Science and Technology, Vol. 45-53, pp. 917-922, Ed. Vincenzini, Techna, ISBN3-908158-10-09 2006
• C. Milanese, F. Maglia, A. Tacca, U. Anselmi-Tamburini,C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, “Ignition and reaction mechanism of Co-Al and Nb-Al intermetallic compounds prepared by Combustion Synthesis”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, Vol. 421, 1-2, 156-162, 2006
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, A. Terrosu, S. Gennari, F. Maglia, “Porous Ni-Ti Ignition and Combustion Synthesis”, Intermetallics, 15, 404-412, 2007
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, P. Bassani, F. Passaretti, A. Tuissi “Characterization of porous NiTi alloys produced by SHS”, Proceedings of SMST 2006 International Conference on Shape Memory and Superelastic Technologies. Editors B. Berg, M.R. Mitchell, J. Proft, 373-380, 2008
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, G. Riva, A. Tuissi, A. Chrysanthou, “Thermal diffusivity of Ni-Ti SMAs”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 2009, 473, 231-237
• P. Bassani, P. Giuliani, A. Tuissi and C. Zanotti, “Thermomechanical properties of porous NiTi alloy produced by SHS, Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, 2009 ,18:594-599
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani, A.Tuissi , S. Arnaboldi , R. Casati, “Rensponse of NiTi SMA wire electrically heated”, ESOMAT (European Symposia on Martensitic Transformation), ISBN: 978-2-7598-0480-1 Prague, September 2009
• C. Zanotti, P. Giuliani P. Bassani, Z. Zhang and A. Chrysanthou, “Comparison between the thermal properties of fully dense and porous Ni-Ti SMAs”, Intermetallics, 2010, 18, 14-21

Contracts

• NAMAMET (2004-2008), Processing of NAnostructured MAterials through MEtastable Transformations - STRP 001470SIXTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME PRIORITY 3.
• CNR-RAS (2005-2007) “Self-propagating High-temperature Synthesis (SHS) of dense nanomaterials”
• COSMIC (2009-2010), COmbustion Synthesis under Microgravity Conditions. ASI
  

Contacts

• Dr. Claudio Zanotti, phone +39 02 66173 310
• Piero Giuliani, phone +39 02 66173 308
• Dr. Ugo Tabacco, phone +39 02 66173 402