Mechanical, thermal and ablative properties of zirconia, CNT modified carbon/phenolic composites

• Published in: Composites science and technology Vol. 80; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Srikanth, I., Padmavathi, N., Kumar, Suresh, Ghosal, P., Kumar, Anil, Subrahmanyam, Ch
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 17.05.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Oxides; A. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs); Ablation; Applied sciences; B. High temperature property; B. Mechanical property; B. Thermomechanical properties; Blanks; Carbon; Exact sciences and technology; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Heat transfer; Laminates; Phenolic resins; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Technology of polymers; Thermal conductivity; Zirconium dioxide; B. High temperature property; A. Polymer matrix composites (PMCs); B. Mechanical property; B. Thermomechanical properties; A. Oxides; Laminate; Fiber reinforced material; Carbon nanotubes; Mineral fiber; Phenolic resin; Oxide ceramics; Composite material; Functionnally graded material; Thermal conductivity; Nanocomposite; Carbon fiber; Mechanical properties; Shear strength; Experimental study; Hybrid composite; Surface treatment; Thermal properties; Bending strength; Zirconia; Multiwalled nanotube; Coated fabric; Phenols; Woven material
• ISSN: 0266-3538; 1879-1050
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compscitech.2013.03.005

Zirconium oxide (Zirconia) coating on carbon fabric (C-fabric) was developed by using zirconia sol. C-fabrics having different weight percentages (wt%) of zirconia namely 0wt% (Blank), 3.5wt%, 6.5wt% and 9.5wt% were used to make Zirconia–Carbon–Phenolic (Zr–C–Ph) composites. Similarly, 0.5wt% multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersed phenolic resin was used to make CNT–C–Ph composite. Thermal conductivity, ILSS and flexural strength were measured for the prepared composites. Based on the initial results, subsequently a functionally graded carbon–phenolic composite (FG-C–Ph) having CNT–C–Ph composition up to certain thickness followed by Zr–C–Ph composition for the remaining thickness was made. Thermal insulation and ablative properties for blank C–Ph, Zr–C–Ph, FG-C–Ph were studied using plasma arc jet test which was carried out at a heat flux of 4.0MW/m2 for 30s. Results from the plasma arc jet test show that, the temperature drop across the Zr–C–Ph composite was found to be highest while it was least for the blank. However the ablation rate was found to be highest for the FG-C–Ph while it was least for the blank. Ablation mechanisms for all the tested composites are proposed based on the SEM and XRD studies.