As an advanced composite material widely used in the aerospace field, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) is subjected to extreme service environments characterized by high heat flux and high mechanical loads. Its thermal ablation and high-temperature failure processes are significantly influenced by environmental conditions. Although numerical and experimental studies on the ablation behavior of CFRP have been extensively conducted, systematic experimental research and experimental-simulation comparisons for the ablation behavior of plain-woven CFRP in a vacuum environment remain lacking.

This study aims to conduct laser ablation experiments on plain-woven CFRP in a vacuum environment and to establish corresponding theoretical and numerical models of thermal ablation. The work seeks to reveal the internal heat transfer characteristics and the evolution mechanism of ablation damage, thereby providing theoretical and data support for the design and application of composite materials under vacuum or rarefied gas environments.

Experimentally, a laser was used as the heat source to design and perform thermal ablation tests on plain-woven CFRP under vacuum. An experimental system based on infrared and thermocouple temperature measurements was employed to record the transient temperature field on the irradiated surface and the temperature of the back surface. In terms of simulation, based on a fiber-yarn/matrix dual-phase micro-modeling strategy and combined with a finite element thermal analysis module and user-defined subroutines, a theoretical and numerical model for the thermal ablation of woven composites was developed.

Experimental results show that no open flame combustion occurred in the composite under vacuum. The epoxy resin matrix underwent significant thermal decomposition and mass loss, while the morphology and structure of the carbon fibers remained intact. The established numerical model reasonably accurately simulated the ablation temperature field and ablation morphology, achieving the simulation of the dynamic ablation process including resin decomposition and fiber exposure.

The vacuum environment significantly alters the laser ablation characteristics and final morphology of plain-woven CFRP. Due to the higher energy deposition rate of the laser in the material, a more pronounced heat accumulation effect is induced. The numerical simulation results agree well with the experimental data, verifying the reliability of the model. This study provides an effective analytical tool and theoretical basis for the thermal safety assessment and functional design of woven CFRP in extreme service environments.