The leading edge of the Orbiter's wings are coated with reinforced carbon-carbon. This
provides extra protection to the areas which are hottest during re-entry. Temperatures on
these surfaces can exceed 3,000 degrees F.
Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC)
RCC is graphite reinforced carbon composite matrix coated with a silicone carbide conversion
with sodium silicate sealant and can withstand temperatures up to 3600degrees F.
This cut-away drawing of an Orbiter wing shows where reinforced carbon-carbon is added to make the shuttle safe for re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
In Orbiter Processing Facility-1 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers remove the reinforced-carbon carbon, or RCC, panels from the wing leading edge on space shuttle Atlantis. The structural edge of the wing (area of red and green behind the panels) will undergo spar corrosion inspection to verify the structural integrity of the wing. The RCC panels will be placed in protective coverings until the inspection is complete.
Left wing test article prior to foam impact test. Panels 5, 6, and 7 and T-Seals 5/6 and 6/7 (from left) are made of fiberglass. The target panel #8 and outboard panels (continuing to the right) are actual flight Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) material including T-Seals 8/9, 9/10, and 10/11. The black 'skid' marks on fiberglass panel 6 are from earlier foam impact tests in the series used to gather data in preparation for actual RCC impact tests.
Close up of Reinforced Carbon Carbon (RCC) panel #8 prior to test. The point of initial contact is marked with a double circle at the top left of panel 8. The point of center of mass impact is marked slightly lower and to the right with a single smaller circle. The white rectangles with small black targets are part of the large number of sensors attached both inside and out of the test article.
From : http://govinfo.library.unt.edu/caib/default.htm
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