Conformal ablators are low-density composite materials comprising a flexible fibrous substrate and polymer matrix. Recent advancements have improved the efficiency of conformal ablator fabrication through vacuum infusion processing, which injects resin into a fiber substrate enclosed in a matched mold under vacuum. A conceptual design methodology was developed combining a Darcy’s law simulation of the mold filling process with optimal tile layout and material property estimation. The framework allows rapid evaluation of changes to constituent materials, process parameters, and heat-shield geometry, and their impact on manufacturing and material properties. Results for a 4.5 m, 70 deg sphere-cone aeroshell demonstrate the advantages of the integrated approach. The mold filling simulation is then compared with experimental results.
Numerical Methodology for the Conceptual Design of Conformal Ablative Heat Shields
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets ; 57 , 4 ; 753-766
2020-04-20
14 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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