Evaluation of Low-Density Ablative TPS based on the foaming technique

A low-density ablative thermal protection system(TPS) was developed using a foaming(blowing) agent, and its performance was evaluated through arc-jet testing and post-analysis. The specimen with 0.36 g/cc was made within several tens of minutes. Arc-jet testing of the specimen yielded a recession rate of 0.524 mm/s, which is more than twice that of the reference model, Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator(PICA). This high recession rate is attributed to the characteristics of the manufacturing process, which results in weak bonding between carbon fibers and subsequent spallation. Cross-section of the tested specimen showed clear evidence of phase change, with only a small portion of virgin. However, due to the small size of the specimen, one-dimensional heat conduction cannot be assumed, which likely led to an overestimation of the phase change location.