Abstract: This invention relates to materials having properties of withstanding temperatures in the thousands of degrees for extended periods of time without gross decomposition. The invention also relates to methods of producing such materials.The materials constituting this invention include binders and fillers mixed with the binders. The materials form a char when subjected to the elevated temperatures. The surface of the char glows in the luminous to incandescent range and rejects incoming heat by thermal radiation. The fillers have the properties of decomposing through a number of successive steps, each step advanced in temperature from the previous step by a relatively small amount. The gaseous products of such successive decompositions flow through the char, which is porous so as to provide transpirational heating. The resultant gases produced at the surface of the material provide a gaseous barrier to absorb heat and to transport heat away from the surface of the material.

Abstract: A propellant including a binder, a curative for the binder (whenever necessary), an oxidizer and a fuel additive are provided. The oxidizer has a relatively high value of specific gravity or density and is stable even at relatively high temperatures and is capable of supplying relatively high amounts of oxygen to the fuel additives or the reducing agents in the propulsion material. The propellant provides density-impulses greater than the density-impulses provided by the propellants of the prior art.