A Review of Numerical and Experimental Characterization of Thermal Protection Materials: Part III - Material Testing

Abstract

Thermal protection materials are required to preserve structural components of space vehicles during the re-entry stage, missile launching systems, and solid rocket motors. A comprehensive literature survey was conducted to review the experimental test methods as well as erosion and heat transfer data relevant to the performance of thermal protection materials for different applications. Laboratory scale apparatus, small-scale and subscale solid rocket motors were used to test these thermal protection materials. A wide range of thermal protection materials such as cork, fiber-reinforced phenolics, fiber-reinforced silicone, filled-elastomers, filled-silicone nanocomposites, and phenolic fiber-reinforced nanocomposites were included. This paper is the third in a four-part comprehensive literature survey that is grouped into numerical modeling, properties characterization, experimental testing, and advanced nozzle throat material. I. Introduction hermal protection materials are required to protect structural components of space vehicles during the re-entry stage, missile launching systems, and solid rocket motors. A thorough literature survey was conducted to review the numerical and experimental characterization of these thermal protection materials for different military and aerospace applications. The literature survey is grouped into: (a) numerical modeling, 1 (b) materials thermophysical properties characterization, 2 (c) experimental testing, and (d) advanced nozzle throat material. In this paper, only the experimental testing literature will be discussed. The numerical modeling 1 and thermophysical properties 2 reviews were published previously, and advanced nozzle throat material will be presented in a subsequent review.