Thermodynamic Comparative Analysis of Hypersonic Materials Response Using Oxy-torch and Plasmatron, Screening and Arc Jet Testing
Abstract
The goal of our project is to develop an understanding for the thermochemical response and behavior of hypersonic materials after exposure to extreme ground-based screening and testing. The use of advanced computational fluid dynamics will also be used to characterize the tightly coupled material-to-test environments. Our technical approach will focus on using three ground-based screening andtest facilities operating in academia to study and develop meaningful comparisons and identify trends between material response from each facility. The two academic ground-based screening facilities are the Oxyacetylene Combustion Heated Torch which is operated at The University of Arizona (UArizona-Oxytorch) and the Inductively Coupled Plasma Heated Wind Tunnel, operating at The University of Illinois Urbana Champaign (UIUC-Plasmatron X). The only academic test facility in the United States is an Arc-Heated Wind Tunnel operated at The University of Texas at Arlington (ONR-UTA Arc Jet - #Leste#).The thermal protection system (TPS) of materials to be investigated will be comprehensive and inclusive of three different classes of materials that are categorized by generic application performance attributes: 1) nonporous ablators 2) dense non-ablators and 3) sensor materials. The purpose for categorizing classes ofmaterials is driven by the need to define the conditions for each ground-based test environment that is most suitable for the material response that is being investigated. For example, nonporous ablators will include testing high density polycrystalline graphite and graphite fiber 2D and 3D high density carbon-carbon composites for external TPS. Examples of nonporous nonablators are the most refractory materials such as, inorganic metallic carbide and boride monoliths and/or ceramic matrix filled monolith or fiber composites for external or internal TPS applications. Examples of sensor materials are primarily dense inorganic oxides or nitrides ceramicmonoliths for use in high temperature RF and IR sensing environments. This multi-university investigation will focus the project around the following three objectives: 1)High temperature assessment of hypersonic materials response and comparative trends. 2)Characterization and validation of thermodynamic test conditions for each facility. 3)Analytical thermochemical and microstructural characterization of material response.The main four tasks for our team will be to: 1) identify the available test matrix conditions for each facility suitable for each class of material; 2) validate and characterize key test matrix conditions for each class of material; 3) fabricate and test materials; and 4) conduct a thermochemical assessment, analysis, and characterization of materials before after testing. Corral will lead materials thermodynamic assessment, fabrication, oxy-torch testing, and project management. Maddalena will lead (Gopal co-lead) validation of key test matrix conditions and arc jet testing; Panesi will lead computational fluid dynamicmodeling of test facilities and Panerai will lead ICP plasmatron testing. Upon successful completion of the project, critical benefits to the warfighter will include reduced time for high temperature material maturation and development and rapid and high throughput materials screening methodology and down selection prior to arc jet testing.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 29, 2023
- Source ID
- N000142312623
Entities
People
- Erica L. Corral
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Arizona