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Name: FRSI Blanket (Nomex Felt)
Database: NASA Ames Thermal Protection Materials
Category: Silicon-Based Reusable Composites: Composite Flexible Blankets
Composition: Aramid fibers, white RTV elastomer (e.g. Dow Corning DC92-007)
Manufacturer: Albany International
Technical Readiness Level: 9
Last Modified: 2001-10-01

Description:

• FRSI is a heat-treated Nomex felt blanket with an OML (outer mold line) layer of white RTV silicone elastomer. For shuttle orbiter applications, FRSI varies in thickness from 0.16 to 0.40 inch depending on the heat load encountered during re-entry. FRSI is bonded directly to the orbiter skin using a RTV silicone adhesive. The white RTV coating is used to waterproof the felt and provide the required thermal and optical properties. The coating is vented using 0.035Ó holes on six inch centers. FRSI covers nearly 50 percent of the orbiter's upper surfaces due to its light weight and the relatively low temperatures and heating rates encountered on the leeward (upper) surfaces.

Point of Contact:

• Marc Rezin
• NASA Ames Research Center
• mrezin@mail.arc.nasa.gov