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Elastic SiC Aerogel for Thermal Insulation: A Systematic Review
Xuan Zhang1, Jianyong Yu2, Cunyi Zhao2
1State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 21, 2024
Summary
Silicon carbide (SiC) aerogels offer excellent thermal insulation for hypersonic vehicles but suffer from brittleness. This review explores structure-performance relationships to enhance mechanical stability and insulation for demanding applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Aerospace Engineering
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Silicon carbide (SiC) aerogels are promising for hypersonic vehicle thermal protection due to their low density and superior insulation.
- Conventional SiC aerogels exhibit brittleness and mechanical degradation under combined thermal and mechanical stresses, limiting their practical use.
- Maintaining structural integrity is vital for consistent thermal insulation and reliability in extreme environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structure-property correlations in SiC aerogels for optimized design.
- To comprehensively analyze the relationships between structural stability, mechanical characteristics, and thermal insulation performance.
- To identify strategies for enhancing high-temperature oxidation resistance and insulation capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of thermal transfer mechanisms from a microstructural viewpoint.
- Investigation of the correlation between SiC aerogel building blocks (0D particles, 1D nanowires/nanofibers) and compression performance (resilience, strength, fatigue resistance).
- Exploration of methods to improve high-temperature oxidation resistance and insulation.
Main Results:
- Detailed understanding of microstructural influences on thermal conductivity.
- Established relationships between nanoscale building blocks and macroscopic mechanical properties like compressive strength and fatigue resistance.
- Identified key strategies for enhancing thermal insulation and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures.
Conclusions:
- Optimizing the micro- and nanostructure of SiC aerogels is critical for improving mechanical robustness and thermal insulation.
- Understanding structure-performance links enables the design of more durable and effective thermal protection systems for hypersonic applications.
- Future research should focus on overcoming current challenges to fully realize the potential of SiC aerogels in extreme environments.
