The re-entry structure of a long rang missile will experience severe aero-thermal load during flight. The nose tip of the missile shall be capable of withstanding these severe thermal stresses arising out of thermal shock in all directions. The material has to be so designed as to exhibit symmetric erosion and should have the lowest erosion rate with respect to all directions. So multi directional reinforced carbon-carbon composite is an ideal choice for this application. To obtain strength in 2, 3 or 4 directions, we weave fibers in different directions. Through carbon-carbon composite shows anisotropic property, 4D carbon-carbon composite shows the same properties in all four directions. The process involved for making 4D carbon-carbon is very tedious as well as expensive. The properties such as density, tensile strength, specific modulus, etc are studied and very much comparable with those of the other preforms.
