Advances in Ablative Composites of Carbon Based Materials: A Review

Abstract

Ablative composites are highly endothermic sacrificial thermal protection materials that are indispensable to the aerospace industry. Polymeric ablatives are the most versatile and the largest class of thermal protection materials due to their capability to be to varied hyperthermal environments. Carbon/carbon composites have outstanding mechanical properties at higher temperatures but they are susceptible to oxidation. The oxidation is addressed by matrix modification, application of a coat of ultrahigh temperature ceramics (UHTC), or also by the use of nanostructure-toughened UHTC coatings as discussed in this article. The article presents a comprehensive review of the science and technology of four distinct groups of ablative composites (carbon/carbon, carbon/phenolic, carbon/elastomeric and carbon/ceramic). The selection of the best material formulations for a given environment is ratified by the testing techniques, which have also been reviewed along with a brief discussion on the composites recycling technologies and their environmental and economic impacts.

Applications of Ceramic/Graphene Composites and Hybrids

“…Ablative TPS are considered a suitable choice for aerospace applications in those cases where full heat exposure occurs for a short time [ 270 ]. Major concerns in aerospace applications are reducing weight while preserving high emissivity and very low thermal conductivity for rejection of the incoming heat flux by radiative heat transfer.…”

Hybrid Epoxy Composites with Both Powder and Fiber Filler: A Review of Mechanical and Thermomechanical Properties

“…They are chemically inert, electrically conductive, and have a relatively low coefficient of thermal expansion [66]. That is why they are widely used as reinforcing materials in lightweight polymer composite materials, mainly for the construction parts of aircraft, spacecraft, boats, or cars [67,68].…”

Evaluation of elastomeric heat shielding materials as insulators for solid propellant rocket motors: A short review

“…-The pyrolytic zone: Region between the charring zone and the virgin material, where the TPS decomposition and pyrolysis processes occur. -The virgin TPS zone: Region that consist on unreacted TPS [3,4].…”

“…However, as the TPS materials have improved over the years adjusting to the new space programs, new equipment had to be developed to quantify the ablation rate of the novel TPS materials [3]. Arc-jet torches, electrodeless torches, and small-scale rockets are some examples of the ablation test equipment currently used.…”

“…Arc-jet torches, electrodeless torches, and small-scale rockets are some examples of the ablation test equipment currently used. Table 1 presents the operating cost estimated for their utilization [3,7].…”