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Examination of Scanning Electron Microscope and Computed Tomography Images of PICAMicrographs of PICA (Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator) taken using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and 3D images taken with a Computed Tomography (CT) system are examined. PICA is a carbon fiber based composite (Fiberform ) with a phenolic polymer matrix. The micrographs are taken at different surface depths and at different magnifications in a sample after arc jet testing and show different levels of oxidative removal of the charred matrix (Figs 1 though 13). CT scans, courtesy of Xradia, Inc. of Concord CA, were captured for samples of virgin PICA, charred PICA and raw Fiberform (Fig. 14). We use these images to calculate the thermal conductivity (TC) of these materials using correlation function (CF) methods. CF methods give a mathematical description of how one material is embedded in another and is thus ideally suited for modeling composites like PICA. We will evaluate how the TC of the materials changes as a function of surface depth. This work is in collaboration with ETH-Zurich, which has expertise in high temperature materials and TC modeling (including CF methods).
Document ID
20110015931
Acquisition Source
Ames Research Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Lawson, John W. (NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Stackpoole, Margaret M. (Eloret Corp. CA, United States)
Shklover, Valery (Eidgenoessische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Switzerland)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
October 1, 2010
Subject Category
Composite Materials
Report/Patent Number
ARC-E-DAA-TN1167
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 599489.02.07.01.02.21.21
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNA04BC25C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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