Ablation behavior of advanced TaSi2-based coating on carbon-bonded carbon fiber composite/ceramic insulation tile in plasma wind tunnel

Novel hybrid thermal protection material (TPM), consisting of TaSi2-based coating on carbon-bonded fiber (CBCF) composites and mullite fiber insulation tiles, is investigated using a plasma wind tunnel. Mullite fiber insulation tile is ceramically bonded to coated-CBCF composites. Results show that surface temperatures range from 400 degrees C degrees C to 1200 degrees C degrees C at low heat flux and dynamic pressure. However, at high heat flux and dynamic pressure, the surface temperature rapidly reaches 1400 degrees C degrees C, and the damage to the TaSi2-based coating is also observed. The cold-wall temperature of the hybrid structure remains at room temperature during ablation. In addition, TPM is invalid because of the consumption of the TaSi2-based coating.