Advanced Porous Coating for Low‐Density Ceramic Insulation Materials

The need for improved coatings on low‐density reusable surface insulation (RSI) materials used on the space shuttle has stimulated research into developing tougher coatings. The processing of a new porous composite “coating” for RSI called toughened unipiece fibrous insulation is diseassed. Characteristics including performance in a simulated high‐speed atmospheric entry, morphological structure before and after this exposure, resistance to impact, and thermal response to a typical heat pulse are described. It is shown that this coating has improved impact resistance while maintaining optical and thermal properties comparable to the previously available reaction‐cured glass coating.