Research Summaries

Back Ultrahigh Temperature Materials for Hypersonic Systems Readiness

Fiscal Year 2022
Division Research & Sponsored Programs
Department Naval Research Program
Investigator(s) Luhrs, Claudia C.
Ansell, Troy
Sponsor NPS Naval Research Program (Navy)
Summary The proposed study aims to support the Hypersonics RDT&E efforts at the Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) by developing and validating materials that have potential to withstand the high temperatures encountered by systems used in hypersonic flight. Multilayered architectures that combine the high melting temperatures and oxidation resistance of ultrahigh temperature ceramics (UHTC) (top) and graphitic composites (bottom) are proposed along with the technical assessment of their performance.
The approach to fabricate the UHTC will employ a low power atmospheric microwave plasma system operating under atmospheric conditions to generate a combination of borides and carbides known for their thermal and/or oxidation resistance. The UHTC particulates generated will be integrated into a layered structure containing a graphitic base. The composite samples produced will be analyzed by X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy to determine crystalline structure, microstructural features, and composition. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimeter analyses will be employed to study the oxidation resistance of the new composites up to 1400 degrees C. The ablation resistance will be tested by exposing the materials to temperatures of about 2000 degrees C achieved by an oxyacetylene flame and evaluating its effects.
Some of the research questions that this research will answer include: Could we generate strategic and operational alternatives/formulations to the materials currently employed for hypersonic applications? What variables in the plasma system will provide the ideal conditions (power, flow rates, precursor composition) to generate the targeted compositions? What are the properties of the new materials? How do the novel materials compare to current benchmarks?
Deliverables include technical report, student thesis or publications produced in the frame of this research.

Keywords: Ultrahigh Temperature Ceramic Materials, Hypersonics
Keywords High Temperature Materials Hypersonics Ultrahigh temperature ceramics
Publications Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal
Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal