Development of a 30 kW Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch Facility for Advanced Aerospace Material Investigations
Abstract
A 30 kW Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Torch for testing high-temperature materials for aerospace applications has been designed, constructed, and made operational at the University of Vermont. A key advantage of the inductive heating approach to creating the plasma is the electrodeless operation, which avoids the copper contamination from electrode attachment of traditional arc heaters. Heat flux probes have been fabricated and used to characterize the heating rates. In addition, sample holders for both shape-stable and ablative material samples have been developed for use in the facility. Surface temperature measurements using a two-color optical pyrometer have been demonstrated. Tests have been conducted on graphite, SiC, and ZrB2-SiC samples. Current test capabilities for continuous operation include heat flux levels up to 120 W/cm2 for air and nitrogen plasmas at pressures between 100 and 200 torr, and surface temperatures to 1800 K for graphite. A unique feature of the ICP Torch Facility is the inclusion of optical access to allow emission and laser-spectroscopic measurements in the plasma/surface reaction zone. Emission measurements have been used to track the evolution of boron depletion and silicon-oxide layer formation over a UHTC test sample.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 21, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563960
Entities
People
- Douglas G. Fletcher
- Jason M. Meyers
- Walten P. Owens
Organizations
- University of Vermont