Silica-Filled EPDM Rubbers as Ablative Insulating Materials

Silica-filled polymers made from ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) have been found to be useful as ablative thermal-insulation materials. These polymers have been investigated as candidates to replace some previously developed polymeric ablative rocket-engine insulating materials that will soon become commercially unavailable. Although these materials have been developed specifically for use in and on solid-fuel rocket motors, they may also be useful in terrestrial applications in which there are requirements for protection against high temperatures for short times.