To meet the need of thermal protection ( ~1 500℃) for novel aerospace vehicles, ultra-high temperature
rigid thermal insulation materials had been fabricated and investigated. Using a high-resisting fiber and inorganic
binder,the insulation was produced through the process of vacuum-molding and firing the dried billet. The microstructure,
thermophysical and mechanical properties of the materials were characterized and measured. The results
showed that the fibers were bonded effectively;the properties could be tailored by adjusting the ratio of fiber to binder;
the thermal conductivity at room temperature and mechanical properties varied linearly with density. The insulation materials
had a shrinkage of less than 2% after heating at 1 500℃ for 1 h,a low density in the range of 0. 3 to 0. 5 g/
cm3, thermal conductivity of 0. 06 to 0. 09 W/ (m·K), and compressive strength of 0. 6 to 1. 2 MPa.