Oxidation-resistant high-temperature materials

A brief history of the testing and analysis of various new oxidation-resistant high-temperature materials for use in Navy missiles is presented. In particular, attention is given to silicone elastomers, graphite materials, and carbon/carbon composites. It is found that HfC-infiltrated carbon/carbon composites have the lowest recession rates and can survive exposures to a 5000 F oxidizing flow for periods exceeding 10 min. 4 refs.