NASA Scientist Demonstrates Thermal Tile Heat Resistance

[pallidin]

I saw a video demonstration some years ago of a NASA scientist holding flat in his hand a thermal tile used for the space shuttle.
He then took a blow tourch and directed it at the thermal tile, to demonstrate that he could comfortably hold the tile with his bare hand(from behind of course) and not get burned.

My question is this: With thermal tiles, what happens to the heat from the blow tourch that permits him to hold the tile with his bare hand and not feel uncomfortable temperature increase? Where does the heat go?

 

[Astronuc]

The thermal energy which is not conducted by the 'thermal tile' is simply carried away in the plume associated with the combustion flame or surrounding atmosphere, or is radiated by the hot surface of the tile.

The tile has extremely low thermal conducivity, i.e. it is a very effective insulator, which consequently will establish a huge thermal gradient, so it must also have excellent dimensional stability and thermal shock resistance.

 

[astrokreng]

I can explain that the thermal tiles used on the space shuttle are made of a special type of material that has high heat resistance properties. These materials are designed to withstand extreme temperatures and protect the spacecraft from the intense heat of re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

When the NASA scientist directed the blow torch at the thermal tile, the heat from the torch was absorbed by the tile's material. However, instead of conducting the heat to the other side of the tile, where the scientist was holding it, the material is designed to trap and dissipate the heat throughout its structure. This prevents the tile from becoming too hot to touch and allows the scientist to comfortably hold it without feeling the temperature increase.

Additionally, the thermal tile material is also designed to have a low thermal conductivity, meaning it does not transfer heat easily. This further helps to protect the scientist's hand from the heat of the blow torch.

In summary, the heat from the blow torch is absorbed and dissipated throughout the thermal tile's material, rather than being conducted to the other side where the scientist is holding it. This is due to the unique properties of the material used in the tile, which make it an essential and effective component of the space shuttle's heat protection system.