Ablation performance and characterization of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer nanocomposites

作者：Allcorn Eric K; Natali Maurizio; Koo Joseph H^*

来源：Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing , 2013, 45: 109-118.

DOI：10.1016/j.compositesa.2012.08.017

• Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs)
• High-temperature properties
• Thermal analysis

We investigated the potential of thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer nanocomposites (TPUNs) as alternative elastomeric heat shielding materials (EHSMs) in ablative applications. Three different nanofillers were tested - montmorillonite clay (MMT clay), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) - and formulations were made for each material with a range of weight loadings. Small scale ablation testing was performed using an oxyacetylene test bed and Kevlar-filled EPDM as the baseline EHSM. Mass loss, recession, and char thickness values were measured in addition to in situ internal temperatures. The TPUN formulations with 5 and 7.5 wt% MMT clay showed the best results, outperforming the baseline in recession and peak temperature values. SEM images of the char from MMT clay containing TPUNs showed ablative re-assembly, which likely served to enhance the material performance. Overall, results showed that the TPUN ablatives performed well relative to the baseline EHSM.

• 出版日期2013-2