ablative materials

Ablative materials are specially designed substances used to protect surfaces from extreme heat by gradually wearing away, or "ablating," during exposure to high temperatures, such as during atmospheric re-entry of spacecraft. As these materials heat up, they vaporize or char, carrying away heat and shielding the underlying structure from damage. This process prevents the material from overheating and helps maintain the integrity of components like spacecraft shields or rocket engines. Ablative materials are crucial for safe space exploration and other high-temperature applications.