Materials of the type used for heat shields on re-entry vehicles undergo varying degrees of property and characteristic changes as a result of exposure to laser radiation in a space type environment at flux levels ranging from about 1 watt/sq. cm up to flux levels in excess of 10000 watts/sq. cm. These changes are, in general: (a) outgassing and depolymerization of the resin binder at low heat fluxes with potential loss in strength and/or delamination of the shield; (b) surface charring and high rates of outgassing and material decomposition/vaporization at intermediate heat fluxes and; (c) excessive rates of outgassing and material vaporization and shield thickness reduction at high heat fluxes. Thus a re-entry vehicle heat shield exposed to laser radiation in a space environment may provide iradequate protection during entry for reasons of reduced structural capability or inadequate remaining shield thickness. Also the heat soak into the shield and structure resulting from exposure times of several minutes may result in unacceptably high levels of temperature for the vehicle substructure or payload prior to or during entry. (Peters)


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    Title :

    Study of laser effects on heat shield materials


    Additional title:

    Untersuchung der Auswirkungen des Laserstrahls auf Hitzeschildwerkstoffe


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    1979


    Size :

    37 Seiten


    Type of media :

    Report


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English