New insight into the ablation behavior of C/C-ZrC composites in a nitrogen plasma torch with a high heat flux of ∼25 MW/m2

Ablation of C/C-ZrC composites was studied at a heat flux of similar to 25 MW/m(2) in a nitrogen plasma torch. C/C-ZrC composites with 4.1 wt% ZrC illustrate a lower linear ablation rate than other composites, that is, 44.7 % lower than that of C/C composites. The formed ZrN/ZrO2 may decrease the ablation rate of the composites by blocking the chemical reaction of the plasma jet and carbon and absorbing significant heat from the plasma jet by their melting and evaporation. The ablation of C/C-ZrC composites is controlled by thermochemical ablation, mechanical breakage, and carbon sublimation, which plays a minor role.

Automated summary

The ablation of C/C-ZrC composites at a heat flux of 25 MW/m(2) in a nitrogen plasma torch is characterized by a lower linear ablation rate compared to other composites, mainly due to the formation of ZrN/ZrO2, which blocks chemical reactions and absorbs heat from the plasma jet. Thermochemical ablation, mechanical breakage, and carbon sublimation control the ablation process, with the latter playing a minor role.