Lightweight Ceramic Ablators

Future atmospheric entry vehicles will require thermal protection materials/systems that are more durable, lower weight, combined with highly efficient protection from atmospheric heating. One low density material concept has been found to exhibit good ablation and in-depth thermal response under simulated entry conditions. This material is a low density carbon fiber reinforced carbon matrix with a nominal density of 0.18 gm/cm3. The purpose of this proposed effort is to investigate, both analytically and experimentally, the influence of various material variables of this low density carbon material for these types of applications. In particular, it is proposed that the influence or density, anisotropy, fiber type and polymer matrix be investigated.