Review of component erosion in electric launcher technology

Component erosion in electric launcher technology (electromagnetic, electrothermal and electrothermal-chemical) plays a major role, which determines the launcher´s bore lifetime, launch velocity and operational limits. Erosion studies have been conducted on the electrothermal launcher SIRENS, which simulates expected operational conditions of high heat flux deposition in electric launchers. Various material surfaces have been exposed to SIRENS plasma to test their performance, erosion behavior and lifetime. Tested materials are pure metals, alloys, refractory materials, specially-coated materials, insulators and composites, pure and composite graphites. Results showed that coating reduced erosion. Tungsten-based alloys have no observable erosion. Vapor shield phenomena have been characterized for different materials, and the energy transmission factor through the vapor shielding layer is obtained.<>