Importance

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Abstract

A shielded, multi-layer heatshield material for hypersonic flight applications includes an ablative/insulative structure having a thickness and providing both thermal insulation and a first ablation resistance, and a separate shield layer bound to an outer surface of the ablative/insulative structure, the shield layer being thinner than the ablative/insulative structure while providing a second higher ablation resistance greater than the first ablation resistance. In one arrangement the ablative/insulative structure includes a carbon/carbon composite layer attached to a syntactic carbon foam layer, using carbon fiber stitched loops for reinforcement, and the shield layer is a carbide outer layer. In another arrangement the ablative/insulative structure includes a silica composite layer attached to a silica insulative foam layer, using stitched loops for reinforcement, and the shield layer is a ceramic outer layer.

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First Claim