Study of coatings as high heat flux materials

Fundamental aspects of coatings for the application as a high heat flux material are studied. The thermal stability of coatings under various heat load conditions, from an isothermal condition to a dynamic heat load test with a heat flux of more than a few tens of kW·cm-2, is demonstrated. The experimental results are analysed from the viewpoint of thermochemical and thermomechanical interactions between coated films and their substrates. Titanium carbide (TiC) deposited on molybdenum (Mo) and TiC deposited onto graphite are coatings that have been studied extensively. (author). 7 refs, 4 figs