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2634963 
Journal Article 
Exploring composites based on PPO blend as ablative thermal protection systems - Part I: The role of layered fillers 
Lombardi, M; Fino, P; Malucelli, G; Montanaro, L 
2012 
Yes 
Composite Structures
ISSN: 0263-8223 
94 
3 
1067-1074 
WOS:000299594900027 
An ablative Thermal Protection System (TPS) is a sacrificial shield able to insulate aerospace vehicles during atmospheric re-entry. In this paper, PPO-based composites were investigated in view of their potential exploitation as innovative ablative TPS. Their ability to degrade undergoing endothermic reactions and yielding a char layer was evaluated by means of thermal analyses and cone calorimeter tests. This first part discusses composites containing layered particles, in particular a cationically modified clay, a hydrotalcite and a sepiolite. Among them, sepiolite-added PPO composites showed the most promising behavior. In Part II spherical oxide and non-oxide fillers in the same matrix are studied. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
Polymer-matrix composites (PMCs); Thermoplastic resin; Ceramic filler; Thermal properties; Ablative materials