Abstract
Groups of carbon/carbon (C/C) and tantalum carbide (TaC)-coated C/C composite specimens were studied under exposure to atomic oxygen (AO). Low earth orbit ground-based simulator was employed. Degradation mechanisms were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry. The results indicated that compared to C/C composite, TaC-coated C/C composite exhibited improvements in resistance properties against AO flux, such as 16.7% better strength retention ratio and 57% less mass ablation than non-coated C/C after 40 h of AO exposure. Moreover, AO preferentially consumed tantalum (Ta) atoms than carbon atoms of TaCx till atomic ratio was in the same proportion. Production of swollen tantalum oxide and crack healing components were obtained under the oxidation effect of high-speed AO. Swelling textures due to exposure were developed following an apical dominance growth behavior. The damage mechanisms of AO on TaC-coated C/C were revealed as chemical reaction first followed by mechanical effect.
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