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High purity silica reflective heat shield developmentA hyperpure vitreous silica material is being developed for use as a reflective and ablative heat shield for planetary entry. Various purity grades and forms of raw materials were evaluated along with various processing methods. Slip casting of high purity grain was selected as the best processing method, resulting in a highly reflective material in the wavelength bands of interest (the visible and ultraviolet regions). The selected material was characterized with respect to optical, mechanical and physical properties using a limited number of specimens. The process has been scaled up to produce a one-half scale heat shield (18 in. dia.) (45.72 cm) for a Jupiter entry vehicle. This work is now being extended to improve the structural safety factor of the heat shield by making hyperpure silica material tougher through the addition of silica fibers.
Document ID
19770021358
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Nachtscheim, P. R.
(NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field, CA, United States)
Blome, J. C.
(McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. St. Louis, Mo., United States)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1976
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Report/Patent Number
A-6938
NASA-TM-X-73210
Accession Number
77N28302
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 506-16-41
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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