Felt reusable surface insulation (FRSI) was selected as the thermal protection material for the space shuttle orbiter. FRSI is a nylon material coated with silicone elastomer that is bonded to aluminum sheets with silicone adhesive. It was ranked first due to its high service temperature resistance, stiffness, low thermal expansion, and fracture toughness relative to its density. While ceramics also meet requirements, FRSI is lighter and can accommodate more temperature variation than ceramic tiles.

1. MATERIAL SELECTION CASE STUDY
FELT REUSABLE SURFACE
INSULATION (FRSI)
OF SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER
P R E S E N T E D B Y
B A G G I O J O S E
R O L L N O : 1 3 M D 0 1

2. CONTENTS
1. DESCRIPTION
2. TRANSLATION
3. FORMULATION
4. SELECTION
5. SUPPORTING INFORMATION
6. COMMENTS

3. DESCRIPTION
• SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER carries rocket
• It is reusable
• Subjected to high temperature(400 c)
• Subjected vibration (high speed motion)
• Aerodynamically smooth surface
• Low density
• Thermal fatigue

4. SPACE SHUTTLE ORBITER

5. TRANSLATION
FUNCTION == Thermal protection for
space shuttle orbiter
CONSTRAINTS == service temperature
stiffness
surface roughness
OBJECTIVES == minimum weight
low thermal expansion
durability
FREE VARIABLES == material
cost

6. FORMULATION
MATERIAL INDICES
1. Service temperature (>400)
2. High stiffness
M2 = E1/2 / ρ
3. Thermal expansion coefficient
M3= α / E
4. Fracture toughness
M4 = σf / ρ

7. SELECTION

8. CONTD…

9. CONTD…

10. CONTD…

11. RANKING
1. Nylon
2. Silicone rubber
3. Ceramics

12. SUPPORTING INFORMATION
• Nylon material coated with silicone elastomer
• Bonded to aluminum sheets by RTV silicone adhesives
• Thickness of blanket – 4 & 8 mm

13. COMMENTS
• Ceramic tiles are used when temperature variation is
more .
• Quartz , borosilicate glass are other options
• Composites with low density silica fibers are the new
materials