Zhang Changrui

Ablation and radar-wave transmission performances of the nitride ceramic matrix composites

The 2.5 dimensional silica fiber reinforced nitride matrix composites (2.5D SiO2f/Si3N4-BN) were prepared through the preceramic polymer impregnation pyrolysis (PIP) method. The ablation and radar-wave transparent performances of the composite at high temperature were evaluated under arc jet. The composition and ablation surface microstructures were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results show that the 2.5D SiO2f/Si3N4-BN composites have a linear ablation rate of 0.33 mm/s and high radar-wave transparent ratio of 98.6%. The fused layer and the matrix are protected by each other, and no fused layer accumulates on the ablation surface. The nitride composite is a high-temperature ablation resistivity and microwave transparent material.

Fabrication of high performance 3D SiO2/Si3N4 composite via perhydropolysilazane infiltration and pyrolysis

Perhydropolysilazane, a low viscosity preceramic polymer with good wettability and high char yield, was used to fabricate three-dimensional silica fiber reinforced silicon nitride matrix composites through the repeated infiltration-curingpyrolysis cycles. With the increase of the pyrolysis temperature from T1, T2 to T3, the density of the composites increased all through, but the flexural strength showed a maximum value at T2 followed by a sharp decrease. The composite prepared at T2 exhibited a good ceramization of the preceramic polymer, a high flexural strength of 144.9 MPa and excellent dielectric property. The high performance of the composite resulted from the good state of the silica fibers, controlled fiber/matrix interfacial microstructures and high-purity dense silicon nitride matrix.

Preparation, properties and thermal control applications of silica aerogel infiltrated with solid–liquid phase change materials

In this study, silica aerogel saturated with erythritol as phase change materials (PCMs) was prepared by melt infiltration. The properties of the composite were determined by scanning electronic microscope (SEM), Fourier transformation-infrared spectroscope (FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). In the novel composite, erythritol with high latent heat of fusion was used as PCM for thermal control, whereas nanoporous silica aerogel was prepared as the phase change matrix to provide structural strength and prevent leakage of the melted erythritol. Nitrogen gas adsorption curves and SEM analysis indicate that the pore structure of silica aerogel was porous and connected with each other. FT-IR analysis showed that the composite formation of silica aerogel and erythritol were physical, whereas DSC analysis showed that the melting point and heat storage capacity of the composite were 123.8°C and 289.92 kJ/kg, respectively. The thermal protection properties of phase change composites were designed under laboratory conditions using a thermal measurement setup of a simulated thermal environment of an aircraft. The phase change composite produced by the study can be used for thermal protection applications. Compared with the paraffin–silica aerogel composite, the erythritol–silica aerogel composite could rapidly control the rising temperature by absorbing heat under high thermal environments.