High temperature ceramic-based thermal protection material

Abstract

A thermal protection paste as described herein can be used by itself, or impregnated into a high temperature resistant fabric to form a repair patch, to repair a thermal protection structure. The paste includes a ceramic composition that includes ceramic material having at least a first controlled particle size and a second controlled particle size that is larger than the first controlled particle size. The ceramic composition is mixed into a high temperature ceramic precursor resin to form the paste. The paste (or patch) is applied to the structure under repair and initially heated to cure the paste and to secure it in place. When the paste and/or patch is cured, it becomes a cross-linked polymer having high thermal protection characteristics. When the paste is exposed to very high temperature, e.g., spacecraft reentry temperatures, it pyrolizes and retains its high thermal protection characteristics.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.