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Silica-based aerogel composites reinforced with different aramid fibres for thermal insulation in Space environments

  • Composites & nanocomposites
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Abstract

Silica aerogel composites reinforced with different aramid fibres have been synthesized and compared considering their potential use in thermal protection systems of Space devices. These composites were prepared from tetraethoxysilane and vinyltrimethoxysilane and the network was strengthened with aramid fibres. The results showed that the physical and chemical properties of the fibres were relevant, leading to composites with different properties/performance. In general, the obtained values for bulk density were low, down to 150 kg m−3. Very good thermal properties were achieved, reaching thermal conductivities bellow 30 mW m−1 K−1, and thermal stability up to 550 °C in all cases. Short length fibres produce stiffer composites with lower thermal conductivities, while among longer fibres, meta-aramid-containing fibres lead to nanocomposites with best insulation performance. Standard tests for Space materials qualification, as thermal cycling and outgassing, were conducted to assess the compliance with Space conditions, confirming the suitability of these aerogel composites for this application.

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The raw/processed data required to reproduce these findings cannot be shared at this time as the data also forms part of an ongoing study.

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Acknowledgements

This work was developed by University of Coimbra under the project AeroXTreme (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-029533)—“High-performance silica aerogel nanocomposites for insulation under extreme temperature Space environments”, co-funded by Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through Centro 2020—Regional Operational Program of the Centre of Portugal. We kindly thank Professor Benilde Costa for providing the SEM facilities used in the analysis of the fibres. Access to TAIL-UC facility, funded under QREN-Mais Centro Project ICT-2009-02-012-1890, is gratefully acknowledged. We also would like to thank to Teijin Aramid GmbH (Wuppertal, Germany) for kindly offer the fibres Twa, Tch and Teij.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CIEPQPF, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Rua Sílvio Lima, Pólo II, 3030-790, Coimbra, Portugal

    Cláudio M. R. Almeida, Mariana E. Ghica & Luísa Durães

  2. CEMMPRE, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Coimbra, 3030-788, Coimbra, Portugal

    Amílcar L. Ramalho

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  1. Cláudio M. R. Almeida
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  2. Mariana E. Ghica
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  3. Amílcar L. Ramalho
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  4. Luísa Durães
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Correspondence to Luísa Durães.

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Almeida, C.M.R., Ghica, M.E., Ramalho, A.L. et al. Silica-based aerogel composites reinforced with different aramid fibres for thermal insulation in Space environments. J Mater Sci 56, 13604–13619 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-021-06142-3

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