Author Topic: Sodium silicate as an ablative heat shield  (Read 1789 times)

Offline MattJL

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Sodium silicate as an ablative heat shield
« on: 03/09/2013 11:15 pm »
Is there a reason why sodium silicate (a readily available intumescent material) isn't used in heat shields?

I've been mucking about with it as part of a science project, and when combined with carbon powder, it's pretty effective.  (Only thing is, the silica-carbon composite produces a char with the consistency of Styrofoam).

Tags: reentry  ablator 
 

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