Solid-fuel Rocket Engines: Layered Composite Materials Manufacturing and Thermal Diffusivity Measurements

Abstract

This communication presents thermal diffusivity measurements of fourteen layered insulating composite materials. Composite materials that were taken under investigation contained matrixes based on epoxy and phenol-formaldehyde resins and reinforcements, such as glass, basalt fiber and wrapping or ceramic paper. They were all prepared by the Rocket Section of the Students Space Association (RS-SSA). Manufacturing process of samples is described. Additional objective of this research was to obtain the quality of such prepared materials and if they are reliable enough to be used in solid-fuel rocket motors. Use of composite materials to build combustion chamber walls of solid fuel rocket engines, rather than metal, leads to weight reduction and increases amount of fuel that rocket can carry. That improves performances and gives new possibilities for rocket applications. To apply new high performance solid fuels, development of new composite materials was required. Analysis of thermal properties gives the answer, which material should be used for new solid-fuel rockets designed by RS-SSA.

Keywords

• layered structures
• laminate
• thermal properties
• non-destructive testing