Evaluation of Epoxy and Phenolic composite materials as Ablative Insulating Coatings

Thermoset organic resins are widely used for making Composite materials as heat insulation. Epoxy and phenolic resin have been used for protecting of metallic substrates against heat fluxes in flight vehicles. In this study, thermal protective composite coatings were formulated using two grades of epoxy and resole type phenolic resins. The composite materials were applied on Aluminum substrates. Thermo gravimetrical analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermal diffusivity (XFA) analyses were carried out for evaluation of heat resistance properties of the composites. The results of thermal diffusivity measurements showed that epoxy / mineral fillers had 0.0034 cm2 /s and Phenolic/ mineral fillers had0.0039 cm2 /s .TGA curves showed that phenolic composites had char yield about 85% and degradation began at 500º C and epoxy composite had char yield about 74% and degradation began at 350º C .The results showed that Phenolic composites have better thermal properties but adhesion of epoxy composite was better