Thermophysical Property Characterization of Decomposing Aerospace Materials

BlazeTech is pleased to provide a new, innovative approach to determining the decomposition properties of composite materials typically used as thermal protection materials for ascent heating during boost phase and atmospheric heating in re-entry. The rapid and cost-effective methodology is needed for characterizing vehicle signatures and dynamics. The primary concern is for new and evolving material concepts that have not been studied extensively compared with legacy thermal protection systems. In the Phase I effort, standard thermal protection material test samples will be fabricated and exposed to anticipated heating levels using laboratory laser systems and experimental designs maximizing high accuracy and rapid turn-around. The acquired data will be compared with legacy experimental data to demonstrate the feasibility of the novel technique. Our extensive background in successfully modeling the high-temperature response of composite materials will be applied to the new data leading to new decomposing material models. The Phase II activities will center on comparing the new methodology with existing models. Approved for Public Release | 17-MDA-9219 (31 May 17)