Phosphorylated Amide Ablative Composite for Thermal Protection and Strain

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mid-heat flux ablative materials are stiff and provide low strain capabilities, while flexible ablative materials offer inadequate thermal protection, leading to undesirable performance conditions and increased vehicle weight with strain isolation pads.

Innovation Solution

A composite ablative material comprising phenolic resin, polymeric phosphorylated amide, and fillers such as carbon and silica fibers, which are mixed to form a structure with reduced stiffness and enhanced thermal protection, using a high-shear mixing process to maintain homogeneity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional mid-heat flux ablative materials are used, then thermal protection is provided, but the material is stiff and provides low strain capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidstrain capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the ablative material by incorporating a polymeric phosphorylated amide additive (1-10 parts per 100 parts phenolic resin) into the phenolic resin system. This compositional parameter change transforms the material's mechanical properties, enabling it to achieve both thermal protection and improved strain capability simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite ablative material system combining phenolic resin with polymeric phosphorylated amide and various fillers (silica, carbon, metal oxides). This composite approach allows the material to exhibit both the thermal protection characteristics of phenolic resin and the enhanced strain capability provided by the phosphorylated amide modification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If flexible ablative materials are used, then strain capability is improved, but thermal protection levels are inadequate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrain capabilityVSAvoidthermal protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the chemical composition parameters by incorporating polymeric phosphorylated amide additive at concentrations of 1-10 parts per 100 parts phenolic resin. This parameter modification enables flexible ablative materials to achieve desirable levels of thermal protection while maintaining their strain capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If stiff vehicle structures or strain isolation pads are used to prevent flexing, then thermal protection is maintained, but vehicle weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidvehicle weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the strain isolation function from separate structural components (stiff vehicle structures or strain isolation pads) and integrates it directly into the ablative material composition itself. By incorporating polymeric phosphorylated amide into the phenolic resin, the material inherently gains strain capability, eliminating the need for additional weight-bearing structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple functions into a single ablative material: thermal protection from phenolic resin, strain capability from polymeric phosphorylated amide, and structural reinforcement from fillers. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate strain isolation pads or stiffening structures, reducing overall vehicle weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composite material achieves improved strain compliance, reduced density, and increased char stability, mitigating stress-induced cracks and weight, while maintaining thermal protection, thus optimizing vehicle performance.

Implementation Method 1

The resulting cured composite when subjected to high temperatures of the order of, e.g., 1093 °C (2000°F). flame temperature, forms a resin char of reduced thermal conductivity which holds the fibers of the laminate together and maintains the structural stability and integrity of the laminate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChar formation:

Implementation Method 2

forms a resin char of reduced thermal conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

Ablative materials protect structures from excessive heat by sacrificing portions of the material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAblation: Ablation

Data Source

PatentEP3369772B1Ablative material with a polymeric phosphorylated amide
Publication Date: 2025.11.26 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

An ablative material comprises a phenolic resin, a polymeric phosphorylated amide, and a number of fillers. The polymeric phosphorylated amide is in the ratio of between 1 and 10 parts of the polymeric phosphorylated amide per 100 parts of phenolic resin or resin solids, by weight.