Synthesis, characterisation and qualification of high performance phenolic/carbon random-fibre oriented ablative thermal protection composite for re-entry applications. (29th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kumar, L. Mohan; Chakravarthy, P.; Anandapadmanabhan, E.N.
• Is Part Of: International journal of material & product technology. Volume 64:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 23
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2021-12-29
• Subjects: ablative composites -- carbon phenolic -- random-fibre -- erosion; Manufacturing processes -- Periodicals; Materials -- Testing -- Periodicals; 620.11
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-1900

Abstract

Ablatives are an elite class of fibre-reinforced polymer composites, which find wide applications in re-entry space vehicles, solid rocket motor nozzles, liquid engine throats, control thrusters, etc. They are synthesised from a high temperature-resistant fibre-like carbon or Silica and a high char-yielding polymeric resin like phenolics. This paper describes a novel method to synthesise a near net shape carbon phenolic ablative composite for re-entry applications through consolidating prepreg of 15 mm × 15 mm in a pre-designed mould. Subsequently, the random fibre-oriented composite laminates were subjected to various characterisation techniques and mechanical testing to qualify the same for re-entry missions. Thermal performance was evaluated under simulated re-entry conditions in a plasma wind tunnel. Property comparison and validation of performance in subscale tests are also discussed for random fibre-oriented composite and the layered laminate composite made through stacking plies one over the other. It was observed that the random fibre-oriented carbon phenolics composite possessed superior properties and exhibited better performance the layered laminate composite for re-entry and other space mission applications.