On some problems of strength of heat-shield materials

In the paper the authors sum up their works dealing with the investigation into strength of ablative heat-shield materials. The main problems that were solved when analysing this material are mentioned. It is expected that in 2000 the main efforts will be directed towards studying mechanical properties of composite carbon materials which can be in operation for a comparatively long time under conditions of high temperatures, the surface geometry characteristics remaining unchanged. The main problems of strength of shield design of these materials are discussed and, in particular, the problems associated with the vibration resistance in high temperature gas flow.