Project Title:

Protective Coating for Carbon-Carbon Composites

04.06-6000
900228
Protective Coating for Carbon-Carbon Composites

Abstract:

Carbon-carbon (C-C) has an extremely high strength-to-weight ratio and would therefore
be the material of choice for hot structures on hypersonic vehicles if its oxidation
resistance could be improved. To achieve this objective a coating system will be
developed in which a very thin film of platinum serves as the final line of defense
against oxidation. Platinum has a high melting temperature, excellent oxidation resistance,
and is ductile enough to avoid cracking during thermal cycling. To assure good adhesion,
the platinum film will be formed on C-C by ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). IBAD
will be used in Phase I to platinum coat two-dimensional (2D) C-C coupons; the coupons
will be evaluated for oxidation resistance up to 2500oF during thermal cycling. Successful
Phase I results will lead to fabrication and testing of C-C panels with platinum
films forming part of an oxidation-resistant coating system. The platinum film will
be one component of a system incorporating matrix oxidation inhibitors, ceramic surface
coatings, and glassy crack sealers--resulting in multiple lines of defense against
composite oxidation.
Successful development of oxidation-resistant coatings for C-C composites would increase
the lifetime of aerodynamically heated surfaces of high performance aircraft and
hypersonic vehicles and turbine and rocket engine components. Additional applications
include furnaces for drawing glass fibers and hot tooling in the steel industry.
coatings, carbon-carbon composites, oxidation resistance, platinum