Effect of ceramic nano?particles on the properties of a carbon?phenolic ablator

Carbon-phenolic ablators are very efficient heat shields for atmospheric reentry vehicles: they able to protect a capsule from hyper thermal environments characterized by intense fluxes (>1 MW/m2) and high temperature (also exceeding 300°C). Ablative materials can be modified the addition of nano-fillers in order improve their performance: small amounts (in 2–5 wt%) enhance matrix material properties, guarantying weight saving too. In this work, three different kinds ceramic nano-particles (ZrO2, SiC, MgO) were tested as fillers phenolic resin carbon-phenolic ablator: variation mechanical properties ablative performances verified through tests oxyacetylene flame exposure. The influence composite phenomena connected presence deeply investigated with scanning electron microscope, EDS, XRD, FTIR analysis.