Heat and Mass Transfer in Composites with Thermal Waves due to Phase Transitions

On the basis of standard data for the density and the initial and final temperatures in the decomposition (pyrolysis) of thermoprotective binder composites, the law describing their decomposition is identified. That law permits determination of the mass of gases generated at the thermal wavefront, which takes the form of a narrow pyrolytic zone. The gases filter through the porous coke residue to the external boundary, and so affect the thermal state of the thermoprotective composite. On the basis of the law derived, the analysis of the composite’s pyrolysis is simplified, because there is no need to take account of the chemical kinetics.