Prediction and simulation of interfacial heat resistance for the rough interface of a thermal protection structure of aircraft postprint

Abstract: The thermal protection structures of hypersonic vehicles are usually composed of materials with significant performance differences，and the thermal contact resistance of rough interface plays an important role in the overall heat transfer characteristics and performance.The research on accurate prediction of thermal contact resistance under complex flight conditions and special thermal protection materials for hypersonic vehicles needs to be improved.The thermal contact resistance between thermal insulation material and metal material in thermal protection structures is investigated by theoretical prediction and numerical simulation.The advanced method is presented in view of the disadvantages in Cooper-Mikic-Yovanovich (CMY) model which is difficult to calculate and describe complex microscopic morphology of rough interfaces.The mechanics and heat transfer process of contact interface are analyzed by numerical simulation.In the numerical examples，accuracy of the method is verified by comparison with the experiment results in literature.The influences of interface temperature，contact pressure，and roughness on thermal resistance are explored，and the role of contact thermal resistance in the overall temperature distribution of the thermal protection structures is discussed.The results indicate that both contact pressure and surface roughness affect contact thermal resistance by affecting the actual contact area，while interface temperature mainly changes contact thermal resistance by affecting material physical parameters.Heat radiation between contact interfaces is enhanced at high temperature.The introduction of thermal contact resistance has a significant impact on the temperature field of insulation layer.