Abstract: An ablative composition and methods of forming ablative structures are provided that improve char during ablation, prevent combustion during ablation, and which reduce moisture absorption of low temperature ablative (LTA) materials. The ablative composition comprises an intumescent material such as ammonium polyphosphate (APP) that is disposed within an LTA material at the outer surface of the ablative composition. The intumescent material may also be added in increasing amounts throughout the LTA material such that a gradient of intumescent material is formed near the outer surface of the ablative composition for the required amount of thermal protection. Both the LTA material and the intumescent material are applied to a substrate, or an aerospace vehicle structure, preferably in layers using methods such as spray forming or hand troweling.

Abstract: An ablative composition and methods of forming ablative structures are provided that improve char during ablation, prevent combustion during ablation, and which reduce moisture absorption of low temperature ablative (LTA) materials. The ablative composition comprises an intumescent material such as ammonium polyphosphate (APP) that is disposed within an LTA material at the outer surface of the ablative composition. The intumescent material may also be added in increasing amounts throughout the LTA material such that a gradient of intumescent material is formed near the outer surface of the ablative composition for the required amount of thermal protection. Both the LTA material and the intumescent material are applied to a substrate, or an aerospace vehicle structure, preferably in layers using methods such as spray forming or hand troweling.

Abstract: An ablative composition and methods of forming ablative structures are provided that improve char during ablation, prevent combustion during ablation, and which reduce moisture absorption of low temperature ablative (LTA) materials. The ablative composition comprises an intumescent material such as ammonium polyphosphate (APP) that is disposed within an LTA material at the outer surface of the ablative composition. The intumescent material may also be added in increasing amounts throughout the LTA material such that a gradient of intumescent material is formed near the outer surface of the ablative composition for the required amount of thermal protection. Both the LTA material and the intumescent material are applied to a substrate, or an aerospace vehicle structure, preferably in layers using methods such as spray forming or hand troweling.

Abstract: An ablative composition and methods of forming ablative structures are provided that improve char during ablation, prevent combustion during ablation, and which reduce moisture absorption of low temperature ablative (LTA) materials. The ablative composition comprises an intumescent material such as ammonium polyphosphate (APP) that is disposed within an LTA material at the outer surface of the ablative composition. The intumescent material may also be added in increasing amounts throughout the LTA material such that a gradient of intumescent material is formed near the outer surface of the ablative composition for the required amount of thermal protection. Both the LTA material and the intumescent material are applied to a substrate, or an aerospace vehicle structure, preferably in layers using methods such as spray forming or hand troweling.

Abstract: During the application of heat the intumescent coating is transformed into a swollen char material, which acts as a thermal barrier to eliminate or minimize incoming heat flux. It also acts as a mass transfer barrier, inhibiting oxygen from reaching the thermally insulative ablative material. During the intumescence process, the swollen material will also back fill into interstices within the ablative material and char to enhance their strength. The intumescent coating also acts as a moisture barrier to protect the thermally insulative ablative material from ambient elements such as moisture.