Thermal Protection
Rocket Lab also has significant expertise designing and testing for high temperature environments. Capabilities include:
Hi-Tac
The coating is a 2-part system which can be easily mixed, poured and sprayed at any thickness and cures to a firm, flexible coating at room temperature. The cured coating possesses superior thermal barrier characteristics such as low thermal conductivity, high specific heat capacity and good ablation and char characteristics. For more information please refer to the Hi-Tac product specification sheet. Hi-NozHi-Noz is a lightweight, reinforced, two-part mix and pour, liquid bulk moulding compound originally developed for the rapid manufacture of rocket nozzles. The compound has excellent ablative properties with high char retention and can be used in environments operating at extreme temperatures with high gas flow rates. Hi-Noz can be moulded into any shape and has a favourable viscosity to make degassing and casting simple. Due to Hi-Noz being in a liquid state it can be poured and cast with out the need for elevated pressures and temperatures and can be processed using traditional composite techniques such as wet lay up, infusion and resin injection. The reinforcement ensures good mechanical properties over a wide range of temperatures. For more information please refer to the Hi-Noz product specification sheet. Liner BondRocket Lab has developed an insulation bonding resin for EPDM based systems. Extremely high peel strengths are achieved by liner bond between EPDM and carbon composites, aluminium alloys, steels and phenolic based composites. Liner Bond is a 2 part system that is applied to the EPDM surface prior to assembly. Once the EPDM insulator is installed within the chamber Liner bond cures to form an elastomeric bond between the chamber and insulator. This elastomeric bond between the case and insulation further reduces the risk of propellant disbond and adds another flexible joint for thermal and structural displacements of the motor case. Composite Ablative Nose ConesRocket Lab has developed technology and processes for the manufacture of composite ablative nose cones. These nose cones are up to 60% lighter than traditional steel cones and the ablative nature of the composite ensures lower internal temperatures within the nose cone. The cones are also coated with Rocket Lab’s HI-TAC ablative coating which further reduces internal nose cone temperatures and offers extra protection. The cones are manufactured from the aerospace glass reinforcement 7581 which has the added advantage of being RF transparent.
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To meet Rocket Lab’s demanding thermal requirements in motors and vehicles the company has developed innovative new thermal protection materials for use in high temperature aerospace applications. Thermal protection products include:
Hi-Tac is a versatile, lightweight, reinforced elastomeric coating developed for the aerospace industry that can be used as a thermal protection system in high continuous temperature regimes or as an ablative liner for applications where temperatures in excess of 2000°C are encountered.