A new method for studying the ablation/erosion properties of silicone rubber composites based on multi-phase flow

To evaluate the ablation/erosion resistance of the silicone rubber composites, a new method based on multi-phase flow produced by oxygen-kerosene ablation test device was put forward and a new kind of particle was applied in the test. The phase transition characteristics of B2O3 particles and Al2O3 particles in high-temperature flame jet were investigated and compared. On this basis, the ablation tests of silicone rubber composites under the erosion of particles were carried out. The results show that erosion of particles is an important factor in ablation. Compared with Al2O3 particle, B2O3 particle melts, evaporates and forms the liquid coating in the oxygen-kerosene flame jet, which can be used to simulate condensed phase particle in rocket engine. After the multi-phase flow ablation test ablation condition with B2O3 particles, the ablation rates are relatively small and reasonably, and a small ablation pit is formed on the surface of the silicone rubber composites. In the profile of ablated materials, a multi-layer structure with char layer, pyrolysis layer and matrix is formed. In the process of particle impact, the melting layer on the surface of B2O3 alleviates the impact force, thereby reducing the erosion of particles. The feasibility and scientificity of the new method based on multi-phase with B2O3 particles used for ablation resistance of silicone rubber composites investigation is validated.