Atmospheric entry: Difference between revisions

 

====Phenolic-impregnated carbon ablator====

''Phenolic-impregnated carbon ablator'' (PICA), a [[carbon fiber]] preform impregnated in [[phenolic resin]],<ref>{{cite conference |url=http://www.jeanlachaud.com/research/Lachaud2010_AbstractOFWS5.pdf |first1=Jean |last1=Lachaud |first2=Nagi |last2=N. Mansour |title=A pyrolysis and ablation toolbox based on OpenFOAM |conference=5th OpenFOAM Workshop |place=Gothenburg, Sweden |date=June 2010 |page=1 |access-date=August 9, 2012 |archive-date=September 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912052713/http://www.jeanlachaud.com/research/Lachaud2010_AbstractOFWS5.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> is a modern TPS material and has the advantages of low density (much lighter than carbon phenolic) coupled with efficient ablative ability at high heat flux. It is a good choice for ablative applications such as high-peak-heating conditions found on sample-return missions or lunar-return missions. PICA's thermal conductivity is lower than other high-heat-flux-ablative materials, such as conventional carbon phenolics.{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}}