Cork-resin ablative insulation for complex surfaces and method for applying the same

US4204899A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Hill M. Walker · Guntersville, US
• Max H. Sharpe · Huntsville, US
• William G. Simpson · Huntsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 12, 1978
• Grant date: May 27, 1980
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 1998

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T156/103
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Cork-resin ablative insulation material is prepared in a form suitable for application to complex curved surfaces by mixing finely divided cork with a B-stage curable thermosetting resin, forming the resulting mixture into a block, B-stage curing the resin-containing block and slicing the block into sheets. The B-stage cured sheet is shaped to conform to the surface being insulated, and further curing is then performed. Curing of the resin only to B-stage before shaping enables application of sheet material to complex curved surfaces and avoids limitations and disadvantages presented in handling of fully cured sheet material.