Starlite and thermal barrier fun

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around Starlite, a thermal barrier material invented by Maurice Ward, whose formula remains a secret after his death. Participants explore the feasibility of replicating Starlite's properties through experimentation with hair products and various organic and inorganic compounds. The original poster successfully conducted an egg test, demonstrating the material's heat resistance, but questions the significance of the results. Forum members assert that the egg test is not a compelling demonstration of thermal insulation due to the inherent properties of cooking eggs.

PREREQUISITES
  • Basic understanding of thermal insulation concepts
  • Familiarity with organic and inorganic compounds
  • Knowledge of experimental methods in material science
  • Awareness of heat transfer principles
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the properties and applications of Starlite as a thermal barrier material
  • Explore methods for testing thermal insulation effectiveness
  • Investigate the chemistry behind organic and inorganic compound interactions
  • Learn about the physics of heat transfer and its implications in material science
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Material scientists, experimental chemists, hobbyists interested in thermal barrier technologies, and anyone exploring innovative materials for heat resistance applications.

Mazberplaz
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Hello everyone,

First up, I know nothing about physics or chemistry. That out of the way, let's begin. I recently read about a very interesting material called Starlite which is supposedly a remarkable thermal barrier but is presumed lost to the world because the inventor kept the formula secret and then rather inconveniently died. For more on this please read the following article from The New Scientist and watch its embedded video links:

http://ronbarak.tumblr.com/post/23539667349/the-power-of-cool-whatever-became-of-starlite-by

Since Starlite's inventor, Maurice Ward, was a former ladies hairdresser and had hinted at having discovered his remarkable product because of his hairdressing experience, I decided, along a friend who also has no scientific experience, to mix up some hair products, combine them with some other likely organic and inorganic compounds and torch the sh*t out of them. By the second day of doing this we could replicate the famous Starlite egg test. See our video here:



What I'd like to know from the gracious and learned members of this forum is: are we onto something or is the egg test actually not much of a big deal? Any advice much appreciated.
 
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"Yet after a few minutes, McCann picks it up and holds it in his hand. "It only just feels warm," he says. He cracks it open and out dribbles a runny yolk." from the OP's link.
Mazberplaz said:
is the egg test actually not much of a big deal?
Have you ever had the misfortune of stopping for breakfast during rush? You will be served cold, runny, raw egg that has been charred externally nine times out of ten. Short order cooks turn grills on to "Warp 8," slap the food on, burn the exterior, and holler, "Order up." Eggs simply do not cook that quickly, and contain an enormous amount of water to be evaporated or incorporated into denatured protein at a rather hefty expense of heat, so, "No, it's not a terribly impressive demonstration."
 

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