Organic aerogel-impregnated low-density carbon/carbon composites: Preparation, properties and response under simulated atmospheric re-entry conditions

A novel lightweight organic aerogel-impregnated low-density carbon/carbon (C/C) composite was produced through vacuum impregnation using carbon-bonded carbon fibre (CBCF) as substrate and resorcinol-furfural (RF) aerogel as infiltrant. Microstructural analysis showed that fibres in CBCF were uniformly coated with a thin layer of aerogels, acting as the supporting skeletons, to strengthen the aerogel matrix. The as prepared RF-C/C possessed low densities between 0.26 and 0.37 g/cm³, relatively high compressive strength, ranging from 0.45 to 3.27 MPa, and low thermal conductivities of 0.105 to 0.350 W/(mK) at room temperature. Furthermore, good thermal ablative and insulative properties (recession rates as low as 0.082 mm/s and internal temperature peaks below 90 °C at 38 mm in-depth position as the surface temperature exceeded 2000 °C) under an atmospheric re-entry condition. From mentioned above, RF-C/C present huge application prospects in heat preservation and thermal protection field, especially in energy-saving and aerospace.