High-temperature erosion of titanium-carbide-particle-reinforced tungsten composites

High-temperature erosion of tungsten composites reinforced with 30 vol% titanium carbide particles (TiC_p/W) was studied with the use of specially constructed oxyacetylene erosion equipment. Results revealed that the mass-erosion and linear-erosion rates of TiC_p/W are much lower than those of traditional copper-infiltrated tungsten material. The erosion resistance of the composite was greatly increased by TiC_p addition. Thermochemical oxidation of tungsten and TiC_p particles was the main erosion mechanism of TiC_p/W. Temperature time plots of the eroded surfaces of the specimens were successfully measured in situ with a dynamic-response multi-wavelength pyrometer, which indicated that TiC_p/W composite had good thermal shock resistance. The good physical properties and good high-temperature erosion resistance of TiC_p/W composite makes it a good candidate for rudders of solid rocket motors.