ablative cooling

Ablative cooling is a process where a material intentionally erodes away to protect what's beneath it from extreme heat. When exposed to high temperatures, the outer layer absorbs heat and then gradually vaporizes or melts away, carrying the heat energy with it. This creates a cooling effect and forms a barrier that shields the underlying structure from intense heat, preventing damage. Ablative materials are often used in spacecraft re-entry shields and rocket nozzles because they effectively manage extreme thermal conditions by sacrificing their outer layer in a controlled way.