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AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
InventorsHuy K. Tran, William D. Henline, Ming-ta S. Hsu, Daniel J. Rasky, Salvatore R. Riccitiello
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A low-density resin impregnated ceramic article advantageously employed as a structural ceramic ablator comprising a fired preform of ceramic fibers. The fibers of the ceramic preform are coated with an organic resin film. The organic resin can be a thermoplastic resin or a cured thermosetting resin. In one embodiment, the resin is uniformly distributed within the ceramic article. In a second embodiment, the resin is distributed so as to provide a density gradient along at least one direction of the ceramic article. The resin impregnated ceramic article is prepared by providing a fired preform of ceramic fibers; immersing the preform of ceramic fibers in a solution of a solvent and an organic resin infiltrant; and removing the solvent to form a resin film on the ceramic fibers.
A low-density resin impregnated ceramic article comprising a fired preform of ceramic fibers and an organic resin film coating said fibers, wherein the resin impregnated ceramic article has an average density of from 0.15 to 0.40 g/cc, an average void volume fraction of 70 to 94 percent, an average ceramic fiber content of 20 to 80 weight percent and an average organic resin content of 80 to 20 weight percent.
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