Accession Number:

ADA409008

Title:

Studies of Hafnium-Carbide Wafers Using a Thermogravimetric Analyzer

Descriptive Note:

Technical paper

Corporate Author:

PHILLIPS LAB EDWARDS AFB CA

Personal Author(s):

• Castillo, Domingo G.
• Jones, Paul F.

Report Date:

1993-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

12.0

Abstract:

Solar thermal propulsion can improve orbital transfer and maneuvering of space payloads due to double the performance of specific impulse lsp over chemical propulsion systems. Solar thermal can accomplish this increased performance by absorbing concentrated solar energy with very high temperature materials which through conduction heat hydrogen H2. Hafnium carbide HfC is an excellent candidate material as a solar absorber and conductor because of its high melting temperature of 395000 71420F1. Several reticulated vitreous hafnium carbide wafers with varying porosities were made by a commercial vendor. Samples of these wafers were placed in a Thermogravimetric Analyzer TGA and heated from room temperature to 100000 1832F. This would determine any weight gains or losses of the wafers during testing. Results of this analysis show that the hafnium carbide increased in weight approximately 2.5 percent.

Descriptors:

• *HAFNIUM COMPOUNDS
• *SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
• *CARBIDES
• *SOLAR ENERGY
• *WATER SUPPLIES
• *THERMAL PROPULSION SYSTEMS
• *THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
• ORBITS
• MANEUVERABILITY
• PAYLOAD
• COMMERCE
• CONDUCTIVITY
• HIGH TEMPERATURE
• POROSITY
• HYDROGEN
• CHEMISTRY
• VENDORS
• TRANSFER
• ANALYZERS
• HEAT
• SPECIFIC IMPULSE
• ENERGY ABSORBERS

Subject Categories:

• Astrophysics
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Thermodynamics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE