Effect of composite lattice on the high-temperature compressive behavior of silicone rubber based ablative materials

Besides aerodynamic heating, ablative materials are always exposed to aerodynamic pressure. This paper proposes an effective method to improve the high-temperature compressive performance of silicone rubber based ablative materials using silica/phenolic pyramidal lattice. Composite structures of silica/phenolic pyramidal lattice reinforced silicone rubber based ablative material were fabricated and tested with the high-temperature material testing machine. To determine the stiffness of lattice reinforced ablative materials at different temperatures, a theoretical model was developed and validated by comparison with experimental results. Results show that silica/phenolic pyramidal lattices can significantly improve the stiffness of ablative materials at high temperatures. The changes in the stiffness of ablative materials reinforced with silica/phenolic pyramidal lattices at high temperatures can be divided into four stages. The composite lattice has a reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties of ablative materials up to 1000 degrees C, with optimal enhancement observed at 681 degrees C. Furthermore, the effects of geometrical parameters of the lattice and heating rates on stiffness at high temperatures are also discussed.