MD simulations of the collision between a copper ion and a polyethylene surface: an application to the plasma-insulating material interaction

To allow a better understanding of the physical phenomena occurred between a plasma and an insulating material, we have developed a specific MD code to study this type of interaction. We report results of MD simulations of the interaction of an incoming copper ion with a polyethylene crystal surface. Three initial incoming velocities and four impact angle values are used to check the influence of both the incident energy and impact direction to the resulting surface damage. When the incoming ion velocity is sufficiently high, MD results show that the impact can cause bond breaking leading to uncoordinated carbon atoms and free hydrogen atoms. The values of local temperatures associated with the structural changes show a possible ablation of the polyethylene surface.     

Novel one-step formed composite reinforcement of "Spider web like" SiCnw networks and "Z-pins like" SiC rods for ablation resistance improvement of C/C-ZrC-SiC

A novel composite reinforcement with horizontal multilayer "Spider web like" SiC nanowire networks and vertical interconnected "Z-pins like" SiC rods was designed and prepared by facile one-step figuration. The linear ablation rate of "Spider web like" SiC nanowire networks and "Z-pins like" SiC rods collectively reinforced C/C-ZrC-SiC composites at 2610 ± 20 ℃ was 0.4 ± 0.03 μm/s with a 74.19 % reduction. The improved ablation resistance was attributed to a denser gradient oxide layer composed of central ZrO₂ layer, transitional ZrO₂-SiO₂ layer and marginal SiO₂ layer generated under the initial sticky net effect from SiCnw networks and subsequent oxide compensation from "Z-pins like" SiC rods.     

Mechanical and ablation properties of 2D-carbon/carbon composites pre-infiltrated with a SiC filler

In order to improve the mechanical and ablation properties of 2D-carbon/carbon composites, a SiC filler was added to a 2D-preform before isothermal chemical vapor infiltration densification by using a powder infiltration technique. Backscattered electron images showed that the SiC filler was mainly concentrated between the fiber bundles and between the layers. The tensile and flexural strengths of the composites were improved by the addition of the SiC filler because of the increase of interfacial surface areas between the bundles and between the layers, the less residual open porosity, and also the strong bonding between the SiC particles and the pyrocarbon matrix. The composites with filler experienced a 15.2% lower thickness erosion rate and a 51.7% lower mass erosion rate, compared to those C/C without filler. This was attributed to the low oxygen permeability of the SiO₂ shielding the exterior inter-bundle pores as well as to a thermal barrier effect.     

Effect of SiCnws on flexural strength of SiCf/HfC-SiC composites after impact and ablation

SiC nanowires (SiC_nws) modified SiC_f/HfC-SiC composites were prepared by precursor infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) and chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) methods. The microstructure, flexural strengths, impact and impact-ablation tests of the composites with and without SiC_nws were investigated. The results showed that after introducing SiC_nws, not only the retention rate of HfC ceramic produced by PIP was increased obviously, but also the fracture displacement of the modified composites was reduced due to the enhancement effect of SiC_nws at interface between SiC fiber and matrix. After impact and impact-ablation, the strength retention of SiC_nws modified composites was 91.6 % and 69.1 % respectively, higher than that of the composites without SiC_nws (85.2 % and 54.8 %). As the impact resistance of the modified composites was improved by the pull-out and bridging of SiC_nws, the ablation resistance of the impacted composites was enhanced as well.     

Microstructure and ablation performance of HfC/PyC core-shell structure nanowire-reinforced Hf1-xZrxC coating

To improve the ablation performance of C/C composites, HfC/PyC core-shell structure nanowire (HfCnw/PyC)-reinforced Hf_1-xZr_xC coating was prepared via three-step chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. Effects of HfCnw/PyC and PyC layer thickness on the microstructure, residual stress and ablation performance of Hf_1-xZr_xC coating were studied. HfCnw/PyC-reinforced coatings exhibited equiaxial crystal structure. After incorporating HfCnw/PyC, ablation property of Hf_1-xZr_xC coating was enhanced because of the skeleton role of HfO₂ nanowires. PyC possessed low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and high heat conductivity, but poor ablation performance. Hence, with the increase in thickness of PyC layer, ablation property of the coating first increased and then decreased. HfCnw/PyC-reinforced Hf_1-xZr_xC coating with PyC layer thickness of about 50 nm exhibited the best ablation property.     

掺杂难熔金属碳化物对炭/炭复合材料烧蚀微观结构的影响

详细分析和比较了3D炭／炭复合材料及其添加难熔金属碳化物的试样在三种烧蚀条件下的烧蚀结果、微观结构及形貌。SEM观察结果显示，纤维与基体间的界面优先烧蚀现象对纯炭／炭试样是普遍存在的，相反，对难熔金属碳化物掺杂的炭／炭试样而言，纤维却总是优先被烧蚀；纤维单丝相对基体优先烧蚀越明显，材料宏观烧蚀率越大。对纯炭／炭试样烧蚀表层区的TEM观察结果表明，在烧蚀过程中炭纤维和基体炭均发生明显的微观结构变化，具体表现为炭纤维的微晶尺寸显著长大，而基体炭原有层片区则出现柱状炭。烧蚀测试条件对材料宏观和微观形貌及烧蚀机理都有影响：     

Bending diamonds by femtosecond laser ablation

We present a new method based on femtosecond laser ablation for the fabrication of statically bent diamond crystals. Using this method, curvature radii of 1 m can easily be achieved, and the curvature obtained is very uniform. Since diamond is extremely tolerant to high radiation doses, partly due to its densely packed lattice, such bent crystals are optimal solutions for crystal-based collimation and/or extraction. Furthermore, using interlaced ablation on both sides, the technique opens for the possibility of constructing a crystalline undulator based on the best material known, to approach the enormous beam densities required for lasing operation of such a device.     

2D-C/C-SiC复合材料强粒子冲蚀下的失效分析

本文采用化学气相渗透(CVI)工艺制备了2D针刺预制体增强的C/C-SiC复合材料,并对材料密度、力学性能以及强粒子冲蚀下的烧蚀机理和破坏机制进行了分析。结果表明,C/C-SiC复合材料在强粒子冲蚀下的破坏机制主要为机械冲蚀和颗粒侵蚀,其次是冲蚀过程中伴随的少量氧化。材料内层间孔、束间孔以及针刺孔的存在加剧了C/C-SiC复合材料破坏。研究发现,通过改变预制体结构来实现材料力学性能的均衡,并提高材料密度以减少材料的孔隙率将成为该使用环境下的材料设计原则     

Effect of PyC interphase thickness on mechanical and ablation properties of 3D Cf/ZrC–SiC composite

Three-dimensional (3D) C_f/ZrC–SiC composites were successfully prepared by the polymer infiltration and pyrolysis (PIP) process using polycarbosilane (PCS) and a novel ZrC precursor. The effects of PyC interphase of different thicknesses on the mechanical and ablation properties were evaluated. The results indicate that the C_f/ZrC–SiC composites without and with a thin PyC interlayer of 0.15 µm possess much poor flexural strength and fracture toughness. The flexural strength grows with the increase of PyC layer thickness from 0.3 to 1.2 µm. However, the strength starts to decrease with the further increase of the PyC coating thickness to 2.2 µm. The highest flexural strength of 272.3±29.0 MPa and fracture toughness of 10.4±0.7 MPa m^1/2 were achieved for the composites with a 1.2 µm thick PyC coating. Moreover, the use of thicker PyC layer deteriorates the ablation properties of the C_f/ZrC–SiC composites slightly and the ZrO₂ scale acts as an anti-ablation component during the testing.     

Exploring Hf-Ta-O precipitation upon ablation of Hf-Ta-Si-C coating on C/C composites

To improve the ablation resistance of C/C composites, a Hf-Ta-Si-C coating was fabricated by chemical vapor co-deposition. The ablation resistances of Hf-Si-C and Hf-Ta-Si-C coatings were characterized comparatively. After introducing Ta, the ablation resistance, smoothness and integrity of the ablated coating improved. Hf-Si-O and Hf-Ta-Si-O glass wires were observed. To investigate the reaction processes of the two types of glass wires, TEM observation was carried out and coupled to molecular dynamics simulations. These illustrated that Hf and Ta atoms tend gather together at high temperature. To investigate the effect of Hf-Ta-O precipitation on the ablation behavior, supplementary experiments were carried out on bulk ceramics with the same target composition, confirming that precipitation reaction could accelerated the formation of a smooth and intact oxide layer, playing a positive role in protecting C/C composites.