Abstract
Thermogravimetric studies and combined thermal analysis techniques have been used to characterize an ablative composite for thermal protection systems. The aim of the work was to utilize these techniques to obtain the main parameters used in the computer simulation of the space re-entry. In particular, a phenomenological model of the degradation kinetics of a silicon-based ablative composite has been developed using thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectroscopic analysis. Simultaneous thermal analysis has also been used to calculate the ablation heat. The results are used as input for a computer model, developed in Part II, to enable calculation of the temperature profiles inside a thermal protection shield during the re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. Such a program can also be used in materials selection. © 1998 Kluwer Academic Publishers
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
G. F. D'Alelio and J. A. Parker, Eds, “Ablative Plastics” (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1971).
E. L. Strauss, in “Aspect of Polymer Degradation and Stabilization”, edited by H. H. G. Jellinek, (Elsevier, New York, 1978) p. 528.
W. Schnabel,“Polymer degradation” (Hanser International, Munich, 1981).
T. M. McKeon, “Ablative Plastics”, edited by G. F. D'Alelio and J. A. Parker, (Dekker, New York, 1971) p. 259.
H. E. Goldstein, ibid., p. 323.
E. L. Strauss, Chem. Eng. Prog. Sym. Ser. 59 (1963) 232.
Idem, J. Spacecraft 10 (1967) 1304.
J. M. Kenny, A. Maffezzoli, L. Torre and G. Pace, in “39th International SAMPE Symposium” (K. Drake, J. Bauer, T. Serafini, P. Cheng (eds.) SAMPLE, Los Angeles, 1994) p. 1590.
J. Collins, O. Salmassy and L. McAlister, in “Application of Plastic Material in Aerospace”, edited by D. Simkins, (American Institute of Chemical Engineering, New York, NY, 1963) p. 9.
G. F. D'Alelio, in “Ablative Plastics”, edited by G. F. D'Alelio and J. A. Parker, (Marcel Dekker, New York, 1971) p. 85.
L. Torre, J. M. Kenny and A. M. Maffezzoli, J. Mater. Sci. 33 (1998) 0000.
H. W. Lochte and E. L. Strauss, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 9 (1965) 2799.
O. A. Hougen, K. M. Watson and R. A. Ragatz, “Chemical Processes Principles” (Wiley, New York, 1959).
W. W. Wendland and P. K. Gallagher, in “Thermal Characterization of Polymeric Materials”, edited by E. A. Turi, (Academic Press, New York, 1981).
H. L. Friedman, Thermochim. Acta 1 (1970) 199.
R. B. Prime and J. C. Seferis, J. Polym. Sci. Polym. Lett. 24 (1986) 241.
K. M. Nelson, J. A. E. Manson, J. C. Seferis and R. B. Prime, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 41 (1990) 301.
J. D. Nam and J. C. Seferis, J. Polym. Sci. 30 (1992) 455.
H. E. Kissinger, Analyt. Chem. 29 (1957) 1709.
H. H. Horowitz and G. Metzger, Analyt. Chem. 35 (1963) 1464.
J. H. Flynn and L. A. Wall, Polym. Lett. 4 (1966) 323.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Torre, L., Kenny, J.M. & Maffezzoli, A.M. Degradation behaviour of a composite material for thermal protection systems Part I–Experimental characterization. Journal of Materials Science 33, 3137–3143 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004399923891
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004399923891