Title: Processing and Characterization of High Temperature Phenolic Nanocomposites

Authors: Aziza G Nahar, Liam Omer, Matthew T Diaz, Jitendra S. Tate

DOI: 10.33599/nasampe/s.21.0446

Abstract: As the performance of electronics and aerospace technologies increases, the demand for lightweight composites capable of maintaining the performance at high temperatures follows in tandem. Besides ablative applications these composites are playing a vital role as friction materials, insulative materials, and shell moldings material. Phenolic resin, SC-1008 exhibits high-temperature (Glass transition temperature, 250°C) and mechanical performance with extraordinary char yields in high-temperature environments. Zirconia and Alumina nanoparticles often enhances thermally and electrical insulative properties and increases thermal stability in nano structured composites. In this study, a rayon-based carbon reinforced phenolic composites composed of 2wt% Alumina Nanofibers and 5wt% Zirconia nanoparticles was fabricated using combination of hand layup and compression molding. Nanocomposite performance is highly dependent upon dispersion quality. Nanoparticles were dispersed in the phenolic resin using combination of 3-roll mill and sonication. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was performed on resin samples to determine uniform dispersion. Char yield was evaluated using Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA). Tensile and flexural properties were evaluated using appropriate ASTM standards. Oxy-acetylene test bench (OTB) was used to determine the ablation rate, heat soak temperature, and mass-loss rate. The ablative performance of newly developed nanocomposites was compared with industry standard, MX-4926.

References: Ding, J., Yang, T., Huang, Z., Qin, Y., & Wang, Y. (2018). Thermal stability and ablation resistance, and ablation mechanism of carbon–phenolic composites with different zirconium silicide particle loadings. Composites Part B: Engineering, 154, 313-320. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2018.07.057 Etemadi, H., & Shojaei, A. (2013). Characterization of reinforcing effect of alumina nanoparticles on the novolac phenolic resin. Polymer Composites, 35(7), 1285-1293. doi:10.1002/pc.22779 Fahy, W. P., Langston, J., Wu, H., Koo, J. H., Kim, S., Misasi, D., . . . Li, K. (2020). Silica–Phenolic Nanocomposite Ablatives for Thermal Protection Application. Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 57(3), 596-602. doi:10.2514/1.a34622 Riccio, A., Raimondo, F., Sellitto, A., Carandente, V., Scigliano, R., & Tescione, D. (2017). Optimum design of ablative thermal protection systems for atmospheric entry vehicles. Applied Thermal Engineering, 119, 541-552. doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.03.053 Srikanth, I., Padmavathi, N., Kumar, S., Ghosal, P., Kumar, A., & Subrahmanyam, C. (2013). Mechanical, thermal and ablative properties of zirconia, CNT modified carbon/phenolic composites. Composites Science and Technology, 80, 1-7. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2013.03.005

Conference: SAMPE NEXUS 2021

Publication Date: 2021/06/29

SKU: TP21-0000000446

Pages: 8

Price: FREE