A Validated Carbon-Carbon Modeling Tool for Hypersonic Thermal Protection Systems

The Navy relies on carbon fiber-reinforced carbon (C/C) as a high-strength, high-temperature material for the aeroshell of hypersonic vehicles. However, the modeling capabilities are unable to accurately characterize the performance of these C/C structures. As such there is a need to develop models that are anchored on physical test data. To address this need, Spectral Energies, LLC (SE) is developing an atomistically informed mesoscale simulation tool for modeling the performance of C/C composite TPS by adding capabilities to the Macaw tool that was developed by SEÆs partners at the University of Florida. To accomplish this goal, the team will develop atomic resolution models of the C/C, incorporate and verify theĀ 2D/3D models of C/C in Macaw, and collect experimental data that can be used for model verification. During Phase II option, the team will incorporate additional capabilities into Macaw, such as models for coatings, impurities, and crack growth.