Mechanical erosion characteristics of carbon-based materials by high-velocity particulate collision

Abstract

A CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) rotor blade of a rotorcraft that flies into sandstorms is eroded mechanically. Moreover, a rocket nozzle that consists of various carbon-based materials, such as CFRP, graphite and C/C (carbon/carbon composite) materials is impacted by particulates in combustion gas, and is eroded thermo-chemically and mechanically. In order to set a suitable thickness for the rotor blade and the rocket nozzle, the front surface of the CFRP, carbonized CFRP, graphite and C/C materials were impacted by high-speed particulates, and the mechanical erosion characteristics were thus acquired. This study showed that due to the impact of high-speed particulates, the mechanical erosion of the carbon-based materials became large, in the order of CFRP, graphite, C/C material, and carbonized CFRP. Furthermore, the experimental multiplier of the mechanical erosion was determined in this study. This multiplier enabled the estimation of the mechanical erosion rate, L, of carbon-based materials.