Advanced Carbon Fabric/Phenolics for Thermal Protection Applications.

Abstract : Carbon fibers are widely used in ablative and thermal insulating applications because of their low conductivity, dimensional stability and strength at very high temperaturtes, flexibility, low cost and nonmelting characteristics. For over two decades, these carbonaceous fibers have been manufactured from precursor rayon in continuous form. Recent attention has been focused on the precursor polyacrylonitrile because of its high carbon content, low cost, availability in various filament count yarns and tows, and ease of conversion to high-strength carbon fibers. (Author)