Effect Of A Simulated Space Environment On Sulfuric Acid Anodized Aluminum For Spacecraft Thermal Control

Huong G. Le; Charles A. Smith; Dudley L. O'Brien

doi:10.1117/12.960948

26 October 1989 Effect Of A Simulated Space Environment On Sulfuric Acid Anodized Aluminum For Spacecraft Thermal Control

Huong G. Le, Charles A. Smith, Dudley L. O'Brien

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1118, Space Optical Materials and Space Qualification of Optics; (1989) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960948
Event: SPIE 1989 Technical Symposium on Aerospace Sensing, 1989, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The severe environmental conditions in low Earth orbit (LEO) have a detrimental effect on the performance and longevity of some thermal control coatings. Commonly used thermal control materials such as silver-Teflon, Kapton, and organic paints have shown significant mass loss and changes in optical properties after exposure in LEO. Sulfuric acid anodized aluminum has been evaluated as a thermal control coating for the radiators of the Space Station Freedom. The evaluation included: study of processing parameters necessary to achieve suitable solar absorptance (a) and thermal emittance (c) properties; study of temperature effects on the stability of the aluminum oxide produced by sulfuric acid anodizing; ultraviolet radiation, and electron radiation testing of sulfuric acid anodized aluminum; and characterization of surface chemistry and morphology before and after environmental testing to determine the cause of degradation. Results show that sulfuric acid anodized aluminum may be a satisfactory thermal control coating for the radiators of the Space Station Freedom.

Citation Download Citation

Huong G. Le, Charles A. Smith, and Dudley L. O'Brien "Effect Of A Simulated Space Environment On Sulfuric Acid Anodized Aluminum For Spacecraft Thermal Control", Proc. SPIE 1118, Space Optical Materials and Space Qualification of Optics, (26 October 1989); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.960948

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