Ablation Rate

Ablation rate refers to the speed at which material is removed from a surface when exposed to heat or other forces, often during processes like cutting, welding, or thermal protection. It measures how quickly material diminishes over time or distance under specific conditions. For example, in spacecraft re-entry, the ablative material slowly burns or melts away, absorbing heat to protect the vehicle. A higher ablation rate means faster material removal, which is important to control for safety and efficiency in various industrial and aerospace applications.