Organic aerogel-impregnated low-density carbon/carbon composites: Preparation, properties and response under simulated atmospheric re-entry conditions

• Published in: Materials & design 2017-10, Vol.131, p.177-185
• Main Authors: Wang, Chonghai, Jin, Xiangyu, Cheng, Haiming, Hong, Changqing, Zhang, Xinghong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ablation; Aerogel; Carbon/carbon; Mechanical properties; Thermal properties
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2017.06.021

A novel lightweight organic aerogel-impregnated low-density carbon/carbon (C/C) composite was produced through vacuum impregnation using carbon-bonded carbon fibre (CBCF) as substrate and resorcinol-furfural (RF) aerogel as infiltrant. Microstructural analysis showed that fibres in CBCF were uniformly coated with a thin layer of aerogels, acting as the supporting skeletons, to strengthen the aerogel matrix. The as prepared RF-C/C possessed low densities between 0.26 and 0.37g/cm3, relatively high compressive strength, ranging from 0.45 to 3.27MPa, and low thermal conductivities of 0.105 to 0.350W/(mK) at room temperature. Furthermore, good thermal ablative and insulative properties (recession rates as low as 0.082mm/s and internal temperature peaks below 90°C at 38mm in-depth position as the surface temperature exceeded 2000°C) under an atmospheric re-entry condition. From mentioned above, RF-C/C present huge application prospects in heat preservation and thermal protection field, especially in energy-saving and aerospace. [Display omitted] •A novel lightweight ablative composite was prepared with CBCF as substrate and organic aerogels as infiltrant.•The composites exhibit low density, relatively high compressive strength, and low thermal conductivity.•The composites reveal good thermal ablative and insulative properties under an atmospheric re-entry condition.