A set of materials property data for potential wear resistant materials was collected. These materials are designated for use as the ''core'' materials in the Fibrous Monolith structure. The material properties of hardness, toughness, thermal conductivity and cost were selected as determining factors for material choice. Data for these four properties were normalized, and weighting factors were assigned for each property to establish priority and evaluate the effects of priority fluctuation. Materials were then given a score based on the normalized parameters and weighting values. Using the initial estimates for parameter priority, the highest ranking material was tungsten carbide, with diamond as the second ranked material. Several materials were included in the trade study, and five were selected as promising ''core'' materials to include in this effort. These materials are tungsten carbide, diamond, boron carbide, titanium diboride and silicon carbide. Work was initiated on a trade study to evaluate ''shell'' materials. These materials will require the investigation of different material properties, including ultimate tensile strength, ductility, toughness, thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and compatibility during consolidation with the ''core'' materials. Kyocera Industrial Ceramics in Kyoto, Japan was visited, with the purpose of negotiating and signing the subcontract for Kyocera's participation on …