Primary Research Interest: Materials for Extreme Environments Non-oxide ceramic composites

1. Erica L. Corral, Associate Professor Materials Science & Engineering Department University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ • Primary Research Interest: Materials for Extreme Environments • Non-oxide ceramic composites • Nanostructured carbon reinforced non-oxide ceramics • Direct current assisted densification (spark plasma sintering) • High temperature thermal & mechanical properties • Primary Broader Impact Activity: • Southwest Materials Research & Training Program • Train several undergraduates each summer in high temperature materials • Future Faculty Mentoring & Recruitment • Participate in faculty searches and mentoring workshops • AGEP Transfer of Knowledge through AGEP student • Interests in New Collaborations: • Microstructural characterization • High resolution Raman spectroscopy/mapping • High resolution electron microscopy • High temperature property measurement and modeling • Thermal diffusivity and mechanical properties up to 2000 °C • Glass viscosity measurements and oxygen diffusion modeling Raman map of ZrB2-SiC with oxide scales Oxidation of ultra-high temperature ceramics results in complex multilayer oxide scales that provide enhanced oxidation resistance at high temperatures. Enhancing oxidation resistance requires detailed chemical and structural characterization of the ceramic after testing. (Specimen tested at 1600 °C for 30 min under atmospheric conditions in a TGA using a 50 ccm of air.) Bulk ceramic Green: ZrO2 Red: carbon (graphene) Pink: carbon Blue: SiC