Thermal insulation and anti-vibration properties of MoSi2-based coating on mullite fiber insulation tiles

Abstract Thermal protection materials with excellent thermal insulation properties and high reliability are crucial for aerospace vehicle. Mullite fiber insulation tiles coated with MoSi2-borosilicate glass (MFIT@MoSi2) were prepared by a simple slurry method. Results shown that the surface temperature rapidly reached 1043.1 °C under the heat flux of 450 kW/m2, while the cold-surface remained at room temperature. The adjusting effects of MoSi2-based coating on the thermal response and transfer properties of MFIT were investigated systematically. Compared with MFIT, the surface and internal temperatures of MFIT@MoSi2 were obviously suppressed, due to the existence of MoSi2-based coating with high emissivity, which effectively enhanced the thermal radiation of the surfaces. Finally, the structural reliability under coupled environment of heating (q0 = 450 kW/m2) and random vibration with high magnitude (20–2000 Hz, Grms = 20 g) was also investigated. Destructive cracking and peeling of the coating were not observed, due to the excellent bonding strength between the coating and the substrate. The results provided an important basis for the potential application of insulation tiles with mullite fibers in aerospace vehicles and the design of lightweight thermal protection systems.