Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators
Abstract The microstructural evolution of superlight ablators during pyrolysis was investigated using in situ X-ray micro-computed tomography and generative adversarial networks. Superlight ablators, a type of syntactic foam thermal protection materials, are commonly employed in the backshells of pl...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2025-02-01
|
| Series: | npj Materials Degradation |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00556-z |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1823861728119619584 |
|---|---|
| author | Collin W. Foster Sreevishnu Oruganti Francesco Panerai |
| author_facet | Collin W. Foster Sreevishnu Oruganti Francesco Panerai |
| author_sort | Collin W. Foster |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The microstructural evolution of superlight ablators during pyrolysis was investigated using in situ X-ray micro-computed tomography and generative adversarial networks. Superlight ablators, a type of syntactic foam thermal protection materials, are commonly employed in the backshells of planetary entry probes. Synchrotron X-rays were used to resolve the material constituents during thermal degradation, including resin, silica microballoons, cork filler, refractory fibers, and voids. A super-resolution methodology was implemented, where high-resolution tomography scans were applied to denoise, segment and analyze lower-resolution in situ datasets that captured a large field of view. This multi-scale approach enabled the quantification of morphological and effective properties as a function of temperature during degradation, while also relating these changes to relevant decomposition chemistry. This study demonstrates a strategy for time-resolving rapid, multiphase decomposition events occurring under high-temperature test environments that mimic atmospheric entry. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-72252db56c744dd9987e425b9390a599 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2397-2106 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | npj Materials Degradation |
| spelling | doaj-art-72252db56c744dd9987e425b9390a5992025-02-09T12:48:36ZengNature Portfolionpj Materials Degradation2397-21062025-02-019111110.1038/s41529-025-00556-zSuper-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablatorsCollin W. Foster0Sreevishnu Oruganti1Francesco Panerai2Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignDepartment of Aerospace Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignAbstract The microstructural evolution of superlight ablators during pyrolysis was investigated using in situ X-ray micro-computed tomography and generative adversarial networks. Superlight ablators, a type of syntactic foam thermal protection materials, are commonly employed in the backshells of planetary entry probes. Synchrotron X-rays were used to resolve the material constituents during thermal degradation, including resin, silica microballoons, cork filler, refractory fibers, and voids. A super-resolution methodology was implemented, where high-resolution tomography scans were applied to denoise, segment and analyze lower-resolution in situ datasets that captured a large field of view. This multi-scale approach enabled the quantification of morphological and effective properties as a function of temperature during degradation, while also relating these changes to relevant decomposition chemistry. This study demonstrates a strategy for time-resolving rapid, multiphase decomposition events occurring under high-temperature test environments that mimic atmospheric entry.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00556-z |
| spellingShingle | Collin W. Foster Sreevishnu Oruganti Francesco Panerai Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators npj Materials Degradation |
| title | Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators |
| title_full | Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators |
| title_fullStr | Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators |
| title_full_unstemmed | Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators |
| title_short | Super-resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators |
| title_sort | super resolved microstructure of pyrolyzing superlight ablators |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41529-025-00556-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT collinwfoster superresolvedmicrostructureofpyrolyzingsuperlightablators AT sreevishnuoruganti superresolvedmicrostructureofpyrolyzingsuperlightablators AT francescopanerai superresolvedmicrostructureofpyrolyzingsuperlightablators |