Performance Evolution of Quartz/Mullite Fiber Insulation Tiles under High-temperature Exhaust Gas Environment

LUAN Zhiqiang; SHANG Lei; ZHAI Hanlei; PENG Xing; TAN Mingyi; HAN Wenbo

doi:10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.07.013

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Equipment Environmental Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 23 ›› Issue (7) : 133-142. DOI: 10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.07.013

Aviation and Aerospace Equipment

Performance Evolution of Quartz/Mullite Fiber Insulation Tiles under High-temperature Exhaust Gas Environment

LUAN Zhiqiang¹, SHANG Lei², ZHAI Hanlei², PENG Xing^3,*, TAN Mingyi¹, HAN Wenbo¹

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Abstract

The work aims to evaluate the performance evolution and failure mechanisms of quartz/mullite fiber insulation tiles under simulated coupled high-temperature, engine exhaust, and rain conditions, providing an experimental basis for material selection and service-life prediction of thermal protection systems in high-speed aircrafts. Quartz/mullite fiber insulation tiles of broad application prospects were subject to cyclic corrosion-fatigue tests (1-5 cycles) in simulated rain and engine exhaust atmospheres. Compression tests at room temperature and 1 100 ℃ were performed with an electronic universal testing machine. Microstructure and phase composition were analyzed by SEM and XRD; pore structure and thermal properties after several cycles were characterized by mercury intrusionporosimetry, a plate thermal conductivity meter, and a thermal dilatometer to clarify the damage behavior of insulation tiles in the environment of rain and engine exhaust. The results showed that compressive strength at room temperature decreased with increasing cycles, and fracture strain dropped from 65% to about 20%. Compressive strength at high temperature first increased and then decreased. XRD indicated that quartz gradually transformed from silicate to α-quartz and cristobalite; a distinct phase change accompanied by micro-cracking occurred after 4 cycles. SEM showed fiber fragmentation and increased porosity. Thermal conductivity decreased after 3 cycles but remained at a low level throughout. Under the simulated environment, the insulation tiles experience progressive mechanical degradation due to phase transformation and fiber-skeleton deterioration, while still retaining excellent thermal insulation performance. The findings provide a reference for service assessment of thermal protection materials in high-speed aircrafts.

Key words

quartz/mullite fiber insulation tile / multi-field coupled environment / fatigue test / thermal insulation performance / mechanical properties

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LUAN Zhiqiang, SHANG Lei, ZHAI Hanlei, PENG Xing, TAN Mingyi, HAN Wenbo. Performance Evolution of Quartz/Mullite Fiber Insulation Tiles under High-temperature Exhaust Gas Environment[J]. Equipment Environmental Engineering. 2026, 23(7): 133-142 https://doi.org/10.7643/issn.1672-9242.2026.07.013

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