Application of thick film and bulk coating technology to the Subterrene program

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1974

OSTI ID:4326421

Stark, Jr, W A; Wallace, T C; Witteman, W; Krupka, M C; David, W R; Radosevich, C

From conference on structure-property relationships in thick film and bulk coatings; San Francisco, California, USA (28 Jan The Subterrene is a rock- melting earth-penetration system representing a significant advancement in excavation technology. Temperatures of 1700-2000 deg K are involved, and heated refractorymetal or alloy probes are used. Corrosion problems are severe on the exterior surfaces of the refractory metals used; bulk coatings having the required properties would be extremely desirable provided they could be deposited upon a substrate as a tenacious coating. Within the Subterrene, pyrographite radiant heaters are operating at temperatures to 2450 deg K. Graphite receptors added to improve the radiant heat transfer react with the Mo and W penetrator bodies to form carbides. A 30 mu m-thick CVD film of TaC may be applied to inhibit this reaction. The techniques of applying these fllms, their nature, and the results of their application, are discussed. The environment of an operating penetrator is described, and the requirements and properties of exterior coatings are outlined. (auth)

• Research Organization: Los Alamos Scientific Lab., N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• NSA Number: NSA-29-027261
• OSTI ID: 4326421
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--74-20; CONF-740103--2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*GRAPHITE-- PROTECTIVE COATINGS
*SUBTERRENE PENETRATORS-- PROTECTIVE COATINGS
*TANTALUM CARBIDES-- DEPOSITION
CORROSION
EXCAVATION
MELTING
MOLYBDENUM
N50210* --Metals
Ceramics
& Other Materials--Metals & Alloys--Corrosion & Erosion & Surface Phenomena
ROCKS
TUNGSTEN