Prediction of elastic properties of thermo structural composites with multidirectional reinforcement.

Composites are a class of materials which have superlative properties in relation to the isotropic materials (metals, ceramics and polymers) if one can look to a combination of high resistance and low weight. The reinforcement fibers, the matrix and the interface between them define the performance and the maximum temperature of the component in service. Composites designed to work under temperatures higher than 1000 degrees C are called thermo-structural composites. Because of their high thermal shock resistance, these materials are used in critical applications such as kick motor nozzles, thermal protections for re-entry ablative and reradiative systems and aircraft brakes. They are usually made by using preforms, that are assembled rods forming a "skeleton" that translates rigidity and strength to the material. The use of preform technology allows an enormous variety of complex geometries and dimensions, which consequently allows flexibility in the design of the component. Although presenting incontestable advantages, the cost of these materials is still prohibitive to common industrial applications. The mechanical tests costs to validate the properties are also high and special equipments are necessary to make them practical. The present work describes the analytical methods to predict elastic properties of thermo structural composites known as Carbon Fiber Reinforced Composites (CFRC) having tri directional (3D) and tetra directional (4D) architectures, in order to make an valuable analysis of their results. Properties were calculated at ambient temperature, and comparisons were made with the properties of graphites formerly used as a standard material for kick rocket motor nozzles. The predictions of elastic properties were based on the homogenization method, considering the hypothesis of straight fiber bundles, resulting in ponderal average elastic properties.