Thermal studies on aerogel-filled sandwich composite structures

• Main Author: Chng, Seong Kian.
• Other Authors: Sunil Chandrakant Joshi
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Materials of construction
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/45325
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Aerogel-filled sandwich composite structures offer the excellent thermal insulating properties of aerogel coupled with the high strength to weight ratio of composites. In this project, a finite element model is developed with COMSOL Multiphysics to study the general thermal conductivity properties and heat transfer characteristics of such structures. Physical experiments are carried out to validate the accuracy of the model. Parametric analyses using the finite element model developed, sweeping across structure geometries, temperature differences, and convective coefficients are carried out to give a better understanding of the thermal characteristics of such structures. Results from the model have shown that granular aerogel fills can be accurately modeled as a single domain with isotropic thermal conductivity properties that is a function of temperature and packing factor of the aerogel granule fill. The results from this project serve as a guideline for future modeling of specific scenarios involving such structures.