Application of a high thermal conductivity C/C composite in a heat-redistribution thermal protection system

A carbon/carbon (C/C) composite with a thermal conductivity greater than 500 W/m K was used as a heat-redistribution material in a new thermal protection system. Using this material, the temperature at the hot head of a model hypersonic aircraft re-entry cone was sharply decreased, which effectively reduced the thermal burden and protected the hot side from being destroyed.