Phase Change Materials and Thermosensitive Painting: Application on Smart Thermal Protection Systems
- Paper number
IAC-06-C2.5.03
- Author
Dr. Javier Coleto, INASMET-TECNALIA, Spain
- Coauthor
Mrs. Marina Bausa, INASMET-TECNALIA, Spain
- Coauthor
Mr. Jon Maudes, INASMET-TECNALIA, Spain
- Coauthor
Mr. Thierry Salmon, EADS Astrium, France
- Coauthor
Dr. Lilian Martinez, France
- Coauthor
Dr. Andrea Passaro, Italy
- Year
2006
- Abstract
A Thermal Protection System (TPS) is an important system of each space vehicle that must be operated in a high temperature and harsh environment, which means that it shall fulfil very tough functional, operational, physical, interfacial, design and manufacture requirements. Moreover, not important developments have been made along the last 10-15 years either in materials and design. The aim of the present work is to develop a trade-off of “smart” concepts applicable to a demanding structure such as the TPS, and develop a “proof of concept” of those more interesting. A wide range of different concepts have been studied. The most representative systems were: (a) Monitorised TPS: able to provide information of mechanical loads and performance of the tile with important improvements in terms of safety; (b) Self-healing materials: providing the ability to arrest and heal a crack when it is growing; (c) Variable emissivity materials: based on new materials and coatings able to provide a more effective thermal control and (d) New emerging materials: new materials addressed as potentially suitable to high temperature applications (nanostructured metals, nanocomposites, functionally graded materials, etc.). After a trade-off and definition stage, two different concepts have been selected for further proof-of-concept development: (a) Concept based on Phase Change Materials (PCMs), where the temperature of the inner part of a TPS is limited due to the energy absorbed by a phase change. This will prevent from the formation of any hot spot on the substructure; (b) Thermal Mapping Concept, where a small amount of temperature sensitive paint is deposited on the TPS external surface so that information of the maximum temperature reached during re-entry could be retrieved, and also, inspection and maintenance become easier. In both cases, a safety increase of the protection system concept is assured. To validate the selected concepts, a test development plan has been carried out. The proof-of-concepts were performed after some preliminary characterisation tests of the components and manufacturing issues.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
IAC-06-C2.5.03.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).
To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.