APPLICATION OF MICROWAVE PLASMA TO THE OXIDATION OF CERAMIC MATERIAL UNDER CONDITIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC REENTRY

Study of the physicochemical behaviour of ceramic materials for space applications requires the implementation of specific simulations. We h ave developed a testing bench, called MESOX, to simulate the atmospher ic re-entry conditions of space planes, which associates a solar radia tion concentrator with a microwave plasma generator. Oxidation experim ents were done under molecular and dissociated air on sintered ceramic s (SiC). The results were compared, and we found differences between t he two environments in the conditions for the formation of a passive o xide layer.