ISSN:
1573-4803
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
Notes:
Abstract Oxidation resistance of composite materials (SiC/SiC, C/SiC and C/C) which can be used to protect shuttles is studied in oxygen microwave-induced plasmas (MIP). These plasmas contain the same energetic species (electrons, ions, radicals, excited atoms or molecules) as those produced by the shock wave resulting from re-entry into the atmosphere. The plasma is sustained in a silica tube located in a resonant cavity and microwave energy is supplied by a generator operating at 2450 MHz with variable power from 15 to 1000W. Experiments are conducted at pressures from 100 to 1000 Pa with temperature ranging from 1100 to 1300 °C. The atomic oxygen flow rate is about 6.1019 at sec−1 cm−2. The wafers are exposed to the plasma for 10 to 25 h for periods of 15 or 30min. Kinetic behaviour of the material is studied by gravimetry and surface characteristic modifications are analysed by BET Krypton isotherms at 77 K and electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA). Gravimetric results, measurements of specific surface area by krypton adsorption and ESCA analysis show that the samples of SiC/SiC and C/SiC are quite resistant to the oxygen plasma even after 25 h exposure. The mass loss is small and the specific surface area (BET) increases but is always lower than 1 m2 g−1. ESCA analysis shows that the surface evolves by change of the superficial silicon carbide into silica. The C/C samples behave quite differently: without any protection they disappear in less than 5 min. With an antioxidant protective layer, this material can be oxidation resistant. The BET and ESCA measurements show that the attack leads to a sintering of the silica which gathers on the fibres, reducing the protection of the matrix.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00582490
