Development of Compact and Portable Material Test Bed Environment for Simulation of Material–Plasma Interactions at Hypersonic-Flow Conditions

A reliable material test facility is necessary for the Air Force that allows simulation of relevant hypersonic conditions in conjunction with non-contact diagnostic tools for evaluation of material–plasma interactions to improve hypersonic-material response models. Spectral Energies, LLC, proposes to develop a compact and transportable test facility that allows controlled experimental simulation of interactions between ultrahigh temperature ceramic (UHTC) materials and the physical and chemical environments typically encountered under hypersonic conditions. This facility is capable of decoupling thermal heating of the material from the plasma flow to meet the solicitation requirements. Non-contact optical and laser diagnostics will be implemented to monitor sample surface temperature and ejection of reactive products from materials. The proposed test bed is expected to achieve the following features: a) plasma flows with variable concentrations of dissociated atoms and ions; b) independent control of material temperatures; and c) optical access for non-contact diagnostics. Emission-based spectroscopic methods and other optical techniques will be used to monitor material sample surface temperature and ejection of reactive products. Facility upgrades and various material tests will be applied in Phase II. The proposed facility and diagnostic tools would make possible studies of the interaction between plasma and hypersonic materials.