Enhancement of Novolac aerogel nanostructure and cellulose cork on thermal performance and ablation properties of lightweight heat shields: with regard to omission of thermal convection

ABSTRACT

In order to study heat transfer in cellulose cork, Novolac aerogel with features including large surface area and low-thermal conductivity was used as filler. Novolac colloids result in cork micropores packing and minimize convection heat transfer. Novolac aerogel was synthesized through sol–gel at saturated vapor of solvent atmosphere. A small amount of Novolac enables cork nanocomposites to have low-thermal conductivity, diffusivity, and high-thermal stability (reduction about 39%, 45%, and improvement of 30°C, respectively). Ultimately, in order to improve aerogel/cellulose cork nanocomposites ablation, samples have been coated with resole resin-filled graphene oxide.

KEYWORDS:

• Thermal insulator
• ablation behavior
• microporous cellulose cork
• Novolac aerogel
• convective heat transfer

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Tarbiat Modares University for the support of this work.