Organic aerogel-impregnated low-density carbon/carbon composites: Preparation, properties and response under simulated atmospheric re-entry conditions

Publication date: 5 October 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 131
Author(s): Chonghai Wang, Xiangyu Jin, Haiming Cheng, Changqing Hong, Xinghong Zhang
A novel lightweight organic aerogel-impregnated low-density carbon/carbon (C/C) composite was produced through vacuum impregnation using carbon-bonded carbon fibre (CBCF) as substrate and resorcinol-furfural (RF) aerogel as infiltrant. Microstructural analysis showed that fibres in CBCF were uniformly coated with a thin layer of aerogels, acting as the supporting skeletons, to strengthen the aerogel matrix. The as prepared RF-C/C possessed low densities between 0.26 and 0.37g/cm³, relatively high compressive strength, ranging from 0.45 to 3.27MPa, and low thermal conductivities of 0.105 to 0.350W/(mK) at room temperature. Furthermore, good thermal ablative and insulative properties (recession rates as low as 0.082mm/s and internal temperature peaks below 90°C at 38mm in-depth position as the surface temperature exceeded 2000°C) under an atmospheric re-entry condition. From mentioned above, RF-C/C present huge application prospects in heat preservation and thermal protection field, especially in energy-saving and aerospace.

Graphical abstract

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