A novel ultra-high temperature oxidation technique in flowing gas with controlled oxygen partial pressure

For the purpose of investigating ultra-high temperature oxidation, a novel induction heating facility has been established. The oxidation kinetics of several typical ultra-high temperature materials (UHTMs), including two graphite-based composites (C/C and ZrB₂/C) and two ternary Zr-Al-C ceramics (Zr₂Al₃C₄ and Zr₂[Al(Si)]₄C₅), were tested by utilizing this facility. It has been identified that the tested cylindrical samples with dimensions of Φ 20 mm × 20 mm can be oxidized uniformly. The maximum temperature of 2450°C can be achieved on graphite-based composites, and the oxygen partial pressure can be controlled in the range of 10₂-10₅ Pa. This novel technique exhibits many advantages, such as an extremely high heating rate of about 20°C/s, easy controlling of temperature and gas pressure, low energy consumption, low cost, and high efficiency. Therefore, it provides a potential way for profoundly investigating the ultra-high temperature oxidation behaviors of UHTMs.