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Ablative Carbon Nanotube/Phenolic Resin Thermal Protection System for Potential High Temperature Composite Applications
Abstract
Carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP) are increasingly used in aerospace applications which demand lightweight and stability at elevated temperatures. This paper discusses a method of fabricating a novel carbon nanotube (CNT)/phenolic nanocomposite and using it as a thermal protection layer (TPL) to improve the performance of CFRP. Hybrid composites of different volume fractions of TPL and bonding interfaces were evaluated. The presence of TPLs in the hybrid composites resulted in as much as a 17% decrease of through-thickness thermal conductivity. Residual flexural strength and modulus after a flame torch test were 39% and 70% respectively of the initial value, a substantial improvement over 11% and 21% of a control sample. We also discuss the effects of TPLs on the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and protection mechanisms. This research could lead to scalable manufacturing of CFRPs with enhanced performance characteristic at elevated temperatures for aerospace applications.
DOI
10.12783/asc34/31339
10.12783/asc34/31339
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