Abstract：Metallurgy analysis of Columbia debris materials was proceeded in order to study the cause of Columbia Tragedy. It was found that major thermal events occurred in the left wing leading edge near RCC panels 8 and 9 during reentry of space shuttle. A breach occurred at left hand (LH) airframe components reinforced carbon carbon (RCC) panel 8. The high-temperature plasma entered through the breach and melted the supporting materials such as Al alloy and Fe,Ni base alloy, which result in the space shuttle Columbia explosion. It is suggested that new materials development should be a limited aim for the present. The system of new materials and its processing should be built to meet the need of economy in our country. The common key materials, which used in aviation, space shuttle, nuclear-powered plant, and equipment manufacture etc, should be strengthened those materials processing. The visualization casting technology was presented.
2005, Vol. 23 
