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Journal of Materials Science

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01-07-2014

Material response characterization of a low-density carbon composite ablator in high-enthalpy plasma flows

Authors: Bernd Helber, Cem O. Asma, Yacine Babou, Annick Hubin, Olivier Chazot, Thierry E. Magin

Published in: Journal of Materials Science | Issue 13/2014

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Abstract

Future space exploration missions beyond Earth’s orbit, such as sample returns from Mars, will use ablative materials for the thermal protection system in order to shield the spacecraft from the severe heating during reentry. In this paper, we present the results of an elaborate test campaign on a lightweight carbon composite ablator with the aim of defining a procedure for material response characterization in a 1.2-MW inductively heated Plasmatron facility, suitable to reproduce the hypersonic flight boundary layer environment. Three different test gases were used, air, nitrogen, and argon, at surface temperatures exceeding 3300 K. A comprehensive experimental setup was developed including a nonintrusive technique to measure surface recession by means of a high-speed camera. Surface degradation was strongly test gas dependent, while mass loss was mainly driven by in-depth decomposition of phenolic resin. Emission spectroscopy helped us identify C₂ as a product of dissociating hydrocarbons, as well as cyanogen, suggesting surface nitridation. Melt flow at the surface and silicon emission indicated degradation of the glass microspheres used as additional filler. In air plasma, oxidation was inferred to be the main mechanism for ablation.

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Title: Material response characterization of a low-density carbon composite ablator in high-enthalpy plasma flows
Authors: Bernd Helber
Cem O. Asma
Yacine Babou
Annick Hubin
Olivier Chazot
Thierry E. Magin
Publication date: 01-07-2014
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Materials Science / Issue 13/2014
Print ISSN: 0022-2461
Electronic ISSN: 1573-4803
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-014-8153-z

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