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Computational and Microstructural Stability Analysis of Shock Wave Interaction with NbB2-B4C-Based Nanostructured
Tarak N Maity1, Nagarajan K Gopinath, S Janardhanraj
1Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur , Kanpur 208016 , India.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|October 4, 2019
Summary
This study investigated niobium-diboride (NbB2) and boron-carbide (B4C) composites under extreme hypersonic conditions. NbB2-B4C composites demonstrated excellent thermostructural stability, retaining integrity after multiple shock pulses, highlighting their potential for aerospace applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- High-Temperature Materials
Background:
- Extensive research exists on transition metal boride composites for aero-thermostructural applications.
- Understanding shockwave interaction and computational simulation for these materials, especially ceramics like NbB2-based ones, remains less explored.
- Hypersonic aero-thermodynamic conditions pose significant challenges to material integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the thermostructural stability of spark plasma sintered NbB2-(0-40) mol % B4C composites.
- To analyze material response under hypersonic aero-thermodynamic conditions using a detonation-driven shock tube.
- To computationally model the spatiotemporal evolution of ceramic surface temperature.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a miniature detonation-driven shock tube facility for testing NbB2-B4C composite ceramic discs.
- Recorded in situ pressure pulse data during shockwave exposure.
- Employed conjugate heat transfer analysis for computational simulation of ceramic surface temperature evolution.
Main Results:
- NbB2-(0 and 20) mol % B4C composites retained structural integrity after 10 shock pulses (max reflected shock temp: 5000 K, pressure: 37.5 MPa).
- NbB2-40 mol % B4C failed structurally, shattering into pieces.
- NbB2-(0 and 20) mol % B4C exhibited 20% and 30% higher crack propagation resistance (R″) under thermal shock, respectively, compared to NbB2-40 mol % B4C.
- Shock exposure led to a measurable increase in hardness for all tested ceramics due to transient melting and solidification.
Conclusions:
- NbB2-B4C composites, particularly with 0-20 mol % B4C, show significant potential for aero-thermostructural applications.
- The materials exhibit good resistance to impulsive loading and thermomechanical shock.
- The study provides valuable insights into the behavior of these composites under extreme hypersonic conditions.
