Would a 10km/s projectile disintegrate at sea level?

AI Thread Summary
A projectile fired at 10 km/s, made of polished aluminum and shaped like an artillery shell, raises questions about its behavior at sea level. Many believe it would disintegrate due to atmospheric friction, while others argue it would primarily experience ablation, losing less than 1 mm of material per second at high temperatures. The discussion highlights the lack of empirical evidence for such high-speed projectiles within the atmosphere. Calculating the friction and considering additional forces are essential for understanding the projectile's fate. Ultimately, the effects of atmospheric entry at such speeds remain largely theoretical.
Treva31
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Assuming you could fire a projectile at 10km/s.
Polished aluminum, almost solid, same size and shape as an artillery shell.

Most people say it would disintegrate due to the friction at sea level.
But would it really?
I heard someone say it would just ablate some of the aluminum. And that 1700 kelvin ablates less than 1mm per second. Which if you shot up at that speed it wouldn't take very long to get into much thinner air.
Does anyone really even know? I don't think anything has ever gone that fast within the atmosphere.

How could I calculate the friction produced and its effect?
And are there other forces to worry about?
 
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Perhaps have a look at ..
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/22/science/fastest-gun-on-earth-goals-go-beyond-planet.htm
 
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CWatters said:
Perhaps have a look at ..
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/22/science/fastest-gun-on-earth-goals-go-beyond-planet.htm

Thanks, that is interesting but doesn't really answer the main question.
 
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