A recent article for Materials Views by Martin Grolms discusses recent developments in ceramics technologies as it relates to thermal protection for space vehicles. While we have discussed the importance of ceramics in manned space exploration in previous posts, the material is becoming so essential to man's presence outside of our atmosphere that we believe it warrants a dedicated post. As pointed out in the article, some components of space vehicles may reach temperatures in excess of 2000 degrees Celsius, meaning that in order to keep our astronauts and their equipment safe, the highest durability of ceramics must be used:
The main concern in the design of ceramic laminates deals with the risk of decreasing the oxidation resistance. At the Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy, the effect on the oxidation behavior of porous and composite layers is investigated. To this purpose the microstructure and the main mechanical properties of different kinds of multilayer SiC (Silicon Carbide) are compared before and after oxidation.
The results of microscopy and several other exhaustive tests showed the presence of large pores in the composite laminate microstructure, which was not present in multilayer SiC. These pores greatly affect the mechanical behavior of components that are protected by a TPS (Thermal Protection System), which can mean the difference between the life and death of an astronaut or the loss of a multi-billion piece of technology. For these reasons it is evident why ceramics are so instrumental in our exploration of space.
To read the full article and learn more about the applications of ceramics in manned space exploration, follow the link!
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