Lightweight Non-Corrosive Exhaust System Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Topic No.: N151-002 Topic Title: Lightweight Non-Corrosive Exhaust System Proposal No.: N151-002-0653 Firm: Touchstone Research Laboratory, Ltd. The Millennium Centre 1142 Middle Creek Road Triadelphia, West Virginia 26059-1139 Contact: Brian Gordon Phone: (304) 547-5800 Web Site: http://www.trl.com Abstract: Touchstone proposes to build on past vehicle exhaust system experience to develop an innovative lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and low-cost system that provides an alternative to the heavy metallic exhaust systems that are currently being used on amphibious assault vehicles and that gives better corrosion performance than the aluminum and composite design envisioned for the EFV. This effort will be accomplished by utilizing an environmentally stable, tough, low thermal conductivity continuous fiber ceramic composite (CFCC) material. Mechanical and thermal modeling will be used to determine the optimal combination of materials, and these results will be tested at the sub-scale laboratory level. Results will be compared to existing amphibious vehicle exhaust system designs in order to demonstrate improvement. Benefits: The use of CFCC materials will provide next-generation amphibious assault vehicles with lightweight, low thermal conductivity, low-maintenance, and low-cost exhaust systems that will make improvements in these areas: water mobility, combat effectiveness, carrying capacity, and survivability. A CFCC system will have significant benefits over traditional metallic and composite designs. The proposed lightweight solution would also benefit commercial vehicles for which performance and durability are primary factors. Return