TUNGSTEN AND ROCKET MOTORS
Abstract
The design of the special plasma-jet head called for a rear electrode consisting of concentric copper tubes to which a W button is brazed. Many difficulties were experienced, but successful brazing was finally achieved with a special tip configuration in an H atmosphere using induction heating. The tip was ground to the proper geometry and the new plasma head is ready for firing. A thermal-shock apparatus was constructed that employs a modified consumable-arc furnace for the power source and a vacuum chamber. A Ta or W tube is used as a resistance-heating element. The tube can be heated from ambient temperature to 3000 C in less than 5 seconds. The initial W test specimens are being fabricated as pressed and sintered rings. The rings are slid onto the heating element and are held in place by tight-fitting top and bottom heat shields that prevent the ring edges from heating by radiation. The specimens are thus heated rapidly from the inside surface, simulating actual rocket nozzle heating conditions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 30, 1961
- Accession Number
- AD0261214
Entities
People
- David S. Bloom
- Gerald M. Gordon
Organizations
- SRI International