Atomic oxygen damage behavior of TaC coating-modified C/C composite

Groups of carbon/carbon (C/C) and tantalum carbide (TaC)-coated C/C composite specimens were studied under exposure to atomic oxygen (AO). Low earth orbit ground-based simulator was employed. Degradation mechanisms were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry. The results indicated that compared to C/C composite, TaC-coated C/C composite exhibited improvements in resistance properties against AO flux, such as 16.7% better strength retention ratio and 57% less mass ablation than non-coated C/C after 40 h of AO exposure. Moreover, AO preferentially consumed tantalum (Ta) atoms than carbon atoms of TaC_x till atomic ratio was in the same proportion. Production of swollen tantalum oxide and crack healing components were obtained under the oxidation effect of high-speed AO. Swelling textures due to exposure were developed following an apical dominance growth behavior. The damage mechanisms of AO on TaC-coated C/C were revealed as chemical reaction first followed by mechanical effect.