Erosion test rig for variable speed dust impact at extreme temperatures

A method for performing erosion testing on a sample, the method comprising:

• disposing the sample in a sample holder of a test rig, the test rig comprising:
• a propelling means configured to propel particles at a velocity of at least 300 meters per second (m/s);
• the sample holder configured to hold the sample in a path of the particles propelled by the propelling means;
• a camera configured to record images of the particles;
• and
• a temperature regulation chamber disposed adjacent to the first end of the main chamber and configured to cool the sample to a first temperature no greater than −196° C. and to heat the sample to a second temperature of at least 150° C.;
• propelling the particles at the sample at a velocity of at least 200 m/s using the propelling means;
• changing a temperature of the sample, using the temperature regulation chamber, by cooling the sample to the first temperature, heating the sample to the second temperature, or both;
• and
• capturing images, using the camera, of the particles, the sample, or both,
• the propelling means being a cold spray system comprising a convergent-divergent nozzle,
• the cold spray system comprising compressed air,
• the camera being a high speed camera configured to capture a minimum of 1,000,000 frames per second,
• the temperature regulation chamber comprising a container comprising liquid nitrogen and disposed adjacent to the sample holder, the container being configured to cool the sample to the first temperature, and
• the temperature regulation chamber further comprising a heating pad disposed on the sample holder, the heating pad being configured to heat the sample to the second temperature.

A test rig for performing erosion testing on a sample, the test rig comprising:

• a main chamber comprising a first viewport made of a transparent material;
• a cold spray system disposed in the main chamber and configured to propel particles at a velocity of at least 300 meters per second (m/s);
• a sample holder disposed at a first end of the main chamber and configured to hold the sample in a path of the particles propelled by the cold spray system;
• a temperature regulation chamber disposed adjacent to the first end of the main chamber and configured to change a temperature of the sample;
• a high speed camera disposed outside the main chamber adjacent to the first viewport and configured to record images of the particles, the sample, or both;
• a vacuum system connected to a second end of the main chamber different from the first end of the main chamber;
• and
• a thermocouple and a data logger assembly attached to a side of the main chamber, the temperature regulation chamber being configured to cool the sample to a first temperature no greater than −196° C. and to heat the sample to a second temperature of at least 150° C.,
• the cold spray system comprising a convergent-divergent nozzle and compressed air,
• the test rig being configured to preheat the convergent-divergent nozzle of the cold spray system,
• the high speed camera being configured to capture a minimum of 1,000,000 frames per second,
• the vacuum system being configured to remove a buildup of the particles from the main chamber,
• the sample holder comprising a slab made of a rigid metal,
• the slab being disposed between the main chamber and the temperature regulation chamber,
• the temperature regulation chamber comprising a container comprising liquid nitrogen and disposed adjacent to the sample holder, the container being configured to cool the sample to the first temperature,
• the temperature regulation chamber further comprising a heating pad disposed on the sample holder, the heating pad being configured to heat the sample to the second temperature,
• the heating pad being attached to the sample holder by a thermal adhesive, and
• an input of the thermocouple being connected to the sample holder such that the thermocouple and the data logger assembly are configured to monitor the temperature of the sample.