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Development of Domestic Lyocell Based Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA-D) for Future NASA MissionsPhenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA) is a low-density ablator that has been used as the planetary entry heatshield for several NASA missions since the late 90's. Its low density and efficient performance characteristics have proven effective for use from Discovery to Flag-ship class missions. The rayon-based carbon precursor raw material used in PICA preform manufacturing has experienced multiple supply chain issues and required replacement and requalification at least twice in the past 25 years, and a third substitution is now needed. Due to the obsolescence of the input foreign rayon fiber source, a new variant of PICA has been developed using a domestic rayon-like fiber source, Lyocell. Results are presented from this effort including fiber conversion, fabrication of tile component and near net shaped heatshield preforms, and conversion to PICA materials. Thermal, mechanical, and representative environment arc-jet tests have been conducted. Initial testing of PICA-Domestic (PICA-D) indicates comparable performance with respect to "heritage" PICA materials and thus PICA-D is expected to be a sustainable solution for future NASA missions.
Document ID
20190031999
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Gasch, Matt
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stackpoole, Mairead
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Venkatapathy, Ethiraj
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Ellerby, Don
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Skokova, Kristina
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Milos, Frank
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Peterson, Keith
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Prabhu, Dinesh
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Gonzales, Greg
(Analytical Mechanics Associates, Inc. Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Violette, Steve
(Fiber Materials, Inc. Biddeford, ME, United States)
Franklin, Taylor
(Fiber Materials, Inc. Biddeford, ME, United States)
Date Acquired
October 7, 2019
Publication Date
October 2, 2019
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN73379
Meeting Information
Meeting: Materials Science & Technology (MS&T)
Location: Portland, OR
Country: United States
Start Date: September 29, 2019
End Date: October 3, 2019
Sponsors: American Society for Metals, Metallurgical Society, The American Ceramic Society (ACerS)
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA15BB15C
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA14AA96B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Technical Review
NASA Peer Committee
Keywords
Drop-In Replacement
PICA-Domestic
Lyocell
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