Starlite and thermal barrier fun

In summary: This is a summary of a conversation about the egg test. The egg test is a demonstration where an egg is charred externally nine times out of ten. The short order cook turns the grill on to "Warp 8," slap the food on, and burns the exterior of the egg. The egg does not cook that quickly and contains an enormous amount of water to be evaporated or incorporated into denatured protein. This demonstrates that the egg is not a powerful thermal barrier.
  • #1
Mazberplaz
1
0
Hello everyone,

First up, I know nothing about physics or chemistry. That out of the way, let's begin. I recently read about a very interesting material called Starlite which is supposedly a remarkable thermal barrier but is presumed lost to the world because the inventor kept the formula secret and then rather inconveniently died. For more on this please read the following article from The New Scientist and watch its embedded video links:

http://ronbarak.tumblr.com/post/23539667349/the-power-of-cool-whatever-became-of-starlite-by

Since Starlite's inventor, Maurice Ward, was a former ladies hairdresser and had hinted at having discovered his remarkable product because of his hairdressing experience, I decided, along a friend who also has no scientific experience, to mix up some hair products, combine them with some other likely organic and inorganic compounds and torch the sh*t out of them. By the second day of doing this we could replicate the famous Starlite egg test. See our video here:



What I'd like to know from the gracious and learned members of this forum is: are we onto something or is the egg test actually not much of a big deal? Any advice much appreciated.
 
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  • #3
"Yet after a few minutes, McCann picks it up and holds it in his hand. "It only just feels warm," he says. He cracks it open and out dribbles a runny yolk." from the OP's link.
Mazberplaz said:
is the egg test actually not much of a big deal?
Have you ever had the misfortune of stopping for breakfast during rush? You will be served cold, runny, raw egg that has been charred externally nine times out of ten. Short order cooks turn grills on to "Warp 8," slap the food on, burn the exterior, and holler, "Order up." Eggs simply do not cook that quickly, and contain an enormous amount of water to be evaporated or incorporated into denatured protein at a rather hefty expense of heat, so, "No, it's not a terribly impressive demonstration."
 

FAQ: Starlite and thermal barrier fun

What is Starlite?

Starlite is a highly efficient thermal barrier material that was invented in the 1980s by British amateur chemist Maurice Ward. It has the ability to withstand extremely high temperatures, making it useful for a variety of applications.

How does Starlite work?

Starlite works by reflecting and dissipating heat energy, rather than absorbing it. It contains a combination of organic and inorganic materials that create a heat-resistant barrier, preventing the transfer of heat from one side to the other.

What are the potential uses for Starlite?

Starlite has many potential uses, including as a protective coating for spacecraft, as a fire-resistant material for buildings and vehicles, and as a protective barrier for electronics and other sensitive equipment.

Is Starlite environmentally friendly?

Yes, Starlite is considered to be environmentally friendly because it does not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins. It is also biodegradable, making it a sustainable option for various applications.

Has Starlite been successfully tested?

Yes, Starlite has been successfully tested in various conditions, including extreme heat and fire. It has also been independently tested and verified by organizations such as the British Space Agency and the European Space Agency.

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