Objective: Carbon-Carbon is a novel composite material that has the capability of withstanding extremely high temperatures. The UCF Propulsion and Energy Research Lab is investigating this novel material for use within the MACH10OD Hypersonic Flight Experiment. Detailed properties of this material will be gathered through ground-testing of Carbon-Carbon coupons in a high-enthalpy reacting flow-facility - previously used to test similar high-speed reacting boundary conditions. By documenting coupon dimensions before and after testing, along with analysis of high-speed imaging, thermocouple data, and pressure transducer data we will be able to better understand how carbon-carbon ablates in a high enthalpy reacting flow.
Design: This holder was designed to securely mount a rectangular coupon within the test cavity of the flow facility. This is done through axial clamping of an pivoting base. This base then can rotate freely on two 1/4" SS Pins that are press fit into the 2 outer custom arms. This assembly can then be mounted to a metallic sting, and placed within the reacting facility. This assembly is better viewed within the slides below.
This design has will initial be tested with the carbon-carbon coupons at fixed angles, set with a set screw and threaded holes designed into the part. However, this design includes capabilities for future implimentation of live dynamic angular controls. Through use of a stepper motor and rotating optical mount, we can dynamically control the angle of a carbon-carbon coupon throughout a test.
Testing is ongoing, updates will be posted when completed!
Designed in collaboration with Spencer Smith (Graduate Student), and under the supervision of my mentor Adam Kotler (PhD Candidate).
316 Stainless Steel machined by Fictiv
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Plumbing and Instrumentation Diagram outlining the HYPERREACT Facility
This outlines the first pass design at this holder, many key features were carried on to the final version​. This design featured complex geometry that would have been extremely difficult/expensive to machine. After discussion with Adam, many simplificaitons were made to the following version.
Prototype demonstrating proof of concept for the axial clamping of the Carbon-Carbon Coupon.
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