Additional Products

IBIS™ Photoconductive Semiconductor Switch

From our research and development efforts, our scientists have created a compact gallium arsenide-based switch capable of handling ultrahigh voltages (over 75,000 V) and current densities in less than a billionth of a second, with ultralow jitter.

Applications that require rapid application of high voltages will benefit from this technology breakthrough. The initial application for IBIS™ PCSS enables a portable capability for future nuclear weapon effects evaluations to ensure sufficiently hardened equipment.

Super High Strength AI Alloy 7042

Our challenge was to improve the structural efficiency of launch systems by replacing the Ti-5Al-2.5Sn ELI alloy for Liquid H₂ Turbopump Impellers with an aluminum-based alloy. Aluminum is about 1.6 times lighter and is less sensitive to the hydrogen environment. Al-7042 exhibited good properties over a broad temperature range (-269˚ C to 100˚ C). A Liquid H₂ Turbopump Impeller was fabricated and successfully spin tested.

The Super High Strength AI Alloy 7042 offers:

• Direct Chill cast 7042-T6 has mechanical properties similar to 7075-T6 or 7050-T74 forgings, but with superior stress-corrosion resistance as compared to these alloys
• Forged products made from 7042-T6 are 25-35% stronger and tougher than similar forgings made of 7075-T6 and 7050-T74 alloys
• Extruded 7042-T6 products have ~30% higher specific strength than Ti alloys