Publication Date:
2011-08-24
Description:
Reusable, oxidation protected reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) has been successfully flown on forty Shuttle Orbiter flights. Thermal testing of the silicon carbide coated, reinforced carbon-carbon to determine its oxidation characteristics has been performed in both radiant and convective (plasma arc jet) heating test facilities. Subsurface oxidation of the RCC substrate as a result of oxygen penetrating micro cracks (fizzures) in the coating was characterized as a function of temperature and pressure for both convective and radiant environments. High temperature testing was performed to establish coating recession for over-temperature flight conditions experienced on abort trajectories. Suggested methods for using these test data to establish multi-mission reuse (i.e., mission life) and single mission limits are presented.
Keywords:
COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Type:
In: Damage and oxidation protection in high temperature composites. Vol. 1; Proceedings of the Symposium, 112th ASME Winter Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA, Dec. 1-6, 1991 (A93-53937 23-24); p. 47-64.
Format:
text
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