Development of a micro/ nano reinforced ablative insulator and its non-destructive evaluation by terahertz spectroscopy

Date

2025-8-15

Author

Koçak Erdoğan, Meliha Eda

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Solid propellant rocket motors require high-performance thermal insulation materials capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and mechanical stresses. In this study, a novel ablative insulation material based on ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber was developed. To enhance both thermal resistance and mechanical properties, micro/nano-scale fillers such as silica and para-aramid fibers have been employed. Optimization of the formulation was conducted to satisfy the requirements for mechanical strength, char formation, low thermal conductivity, and aging resistance. Additionally, a terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) methodology was developed and applied as a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique to ensure insulation quality. The results demonstrated that the developed insulation satisfies all requirements. Furthermore, both transmissive and reflective THz-TDS measurements have been conducted and both resulted with high precision in terms of defining the thickness of insulation. Additionally, THz-based inspection system provided accurate and reliable detection of internal features, offering a promising diagnostic approach for next-generation aerospace components.

Subject Keywords

Terahertz, Non-destructive evaluation, Micro-nano reinforced rubber insulation

URI

https://hdl.handle.net/11511/115520

Collections

Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Thesis