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Degradation of Al 2 O 3f /SiO 2 composites exposed to Na 2 SO 4 environment and MMH/N 2 O 4 bipropellants test
Author(s) -
Yang Xiang,
Jin Wen,
Yi Wang,
Chengxin Zhu,
Yulin Zhu,
Rongjun Liu,
Feng Cao
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of applied ceramic technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.4
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1744-7402
pISSN - 1546-542X
DOI - 10.1111/ijac.13528
Subject(s) - materials science , composite material , flexural strength , degradation (telecommunications) , thermal stability , porosity , corrosion , shearing (physics) , chemical engineering , telecommunications , computer science , engineering
Al 2 O 3f /SiO 2 composites were fabricated efficiently using sol‐gel process. The degradation behavior exposed to Na 2 SO 4 environment at 1100℃ and MMH/N 2 O 4 bipropellants test were investigated and compared. The results showed that the strength of Al 2 O 3f /SiO 2 composites gradually decreased as the ratio of Na 2 SO 4 :water increased; the strength of the composites was only 23.56 MPa at 20% (Na 2 SO 4 :water), which suggested that the composites maintained lower strength. Cracks began to appear in SiO 2 matrix, and the structure of Al 2 O 3 f/SiO 2 composites could be corroded which would corrode the SiO 2 matrix, leaving naked fibers. Developing a protective layer with higher stability for Al 2 O 3f /SiO 2 composites would be considered for long time use. The composites showed higher ablation resistance to MMH/N 2 O 4 bipropellant test; the flexural strength was (77.15 ± 4.56) MPa and the retention ratio was 98.7%. The degradation of Al 2 O 3f /SiO 2 composites was promoted owing to the thermal‐mechanical and chemical factors. SiO 2 matrix became weak and fragile at elevated temperature; some SiO 2 matrix became loosened and porous after being washed away through the shearing of MMH/N 2 O 4 bipropellants, which prevented cracks from penetrating Al 2 O 3 fibers. With ongoing test, the fibers were worsened by thermal‐mechanical corrosion.