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Numerical Simulation of Thermal Response and Ablation Behavior of a Hybrid Carbon/Carbon Composite

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Abstract

The thermal response and ablation behavior of a hybrid carbon/carbon (C/C) composite are studied herein by using a numerical model. This model is based on the energy- and mass-conservation principles as well as on the calculation of the thermophysical properties of materials. The thermal response and ablation behavior are simulated from the perspective of the matrix and fiber components of a hybrid C/C composite. The thermophysical properties during ablation are calculated, and a moving boundary is implemented to consider the recession of the ablation surface. The temperature distribution, thermophysical properties, char layer thickness, linear ablation rate, mass flow rate of the pyrolysis gases, and mass loss of the hybrid C/C composite are quantitatively predicted. This numerical study describing the thermal response and ablation behavior provides a fundamental understanding of the ablative mechanism of a hybrid C/C composite, serving as a reference and basis for further designs and optimizations of thermoprotective materials.

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Abbreviations

ρ :

Density, kg/m3

C p :

Specific heat, J/(kg · K)

k :

Heat conductivity, W/(m · K)

Δh :

Enthalpy, J/kg

\( \dot{m} \) :

Mass flow rate, kg/(m2 ·s)

A :

Preexponential factor, s−1

E :

Activation energy, J/mol

R :

Gas constant, J/(mol·K)

T :

Temperature, K

K B :

Boltzmann constant, J/K

M :

Molecular weight, kg/mol

m :

Mass, kg

t :

Time, s

C :

Mass fraction

β :

Reaction probability

Δt :

Time increment, s

\( \dot{S} \) :

Recession rate, m/s

δ j :

Nodal displacement in the j direction, m

\( {\dot{m}}_1 \), \( {\dot{m}}_2 \) :

Mass flow rate of gases, kg/(m2 ·s)

q conv :

Total convective heat flux, W/m2

q N :

Conduction heat flux, W/m2

q rad :

Radiation heat flux, W/m2

n :

Order of reaction

f :

Fiber

m :

Matrix

g :

Pyrolysis gas

v :

Virgin material

c :

Char

w :

Surface

i :

Species

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Nonferrous Metals, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou, 730050, China

    Bai Zhang & Xudong Li

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  1. Bai Zhang
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  2. Xudong Li
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Correspondence to Xudong Li.

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Zhang, B., Li, X. Numerical Simulation of Thermal Response and Ablation Behavior of a Hybrid Carbon/Carbon Composite. Appl Compos Mater 25, 675–688 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-017-9645-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10443-017-9645-1

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