Thermal response and ablation characteristics of light weight ceramic ablatorsAn account is given of the thermal performance and ablation characteristics of the NASA-Ames Lightweight Ceramic Ablators (LCAs) in supersonic, high-enthalpy convective environments, which use low density ceramic or carbon fiber matrices as substrates for main structural support, with organic resin fillers. LCA densities are in the 0.224-1.282 g/cu cm range. In-depth temperature data have been obtained to determine thermal penetration depths and conductivity. The addition of SiC and PPMA is noted to significantly improve the ablation performance of LCAs with silica substrates. Carbon-based LCAs are the most mass-efficient at high flux levels.
Document ID
19930062535
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Tran, Huy K. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Rasky, Daniel J. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Esfahani, Lili (San Jose State Univ. CA, United States)