PI: Prof. Kantesh Balani
Co-PI: Prof. Sarang Ingole
The project "Oxidation of Graphite and Protective Coatings: Multi Length Scale Abridgment" funded by Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences aims to evaluate the oxidation behavior of graphite (ASTM 7542 grades) at high temperatures (upto 1200 0C) and attempt the protection methods (via plasma spraying of SiC/ZrB2/Al2O3 nanocomposite coating). It is highly critical to accumulate the reliable data considering the weight loss of graphite under various temperature regimes as their kinetics varies with changing temperature and composition. Outcome of this study will bridge the dominant strengthening mechanisms at different length-scales of the nanocomposite SiC-ZrB2-Al2O3 coatings in order to assess the damage accumulation, and protection of graphite.