Coatings and Thin Films for Spacecraft Thermo‐Optical and Related Functional Applications

Abstract

An overview of coatings and thin films for spacecraft applications is provided, focusing on coatings for thermal control and optical applications. An outline of the requirements imposed by the harsh conditions in space is given. Space applications of coatings are listed and their qualification is described, including testing in the ESA laboratories at ESTEC. Coatings degradation in space and environmental testing, including degradation due to vacuum, thermal cycling, radiation, atomic oxygen, space debris, and outgassing effects, is covered in detail. Recent advances in the field and perspectives for future development are also reviewed based on the published literature.

Increasing the robustness and crack resistivity of high-performance carbon fiber composites for space applications

“…Space-bound coatings often drive and facilitate technological developments, in which applications often branch into further terrestrial implementations. These coatings must provide functionality such as mechanical and chemical protection while simultaneously maintaining their mechanical integrity under extreme test, launch, and space conditions ( Holynska et al., 2018 ). The European Space Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Agency (NASA), and other institutions require such coatings for various electronic, optoelectronic, mechanical, and instrument applications on a range of missions including Sentinel, Earth Observation, Navigation and Science (ENS), Synthetic Aperture Radar, and deep-space missions.…”

Effect of halide mineralizers on monodisperse spherical zircon powders

“…It possesses low thermal conductivity (5.1 W m –1 K –1 ), modest thermal expansion (4.1 × 10 ‐6 K –1 ), and excellent mechanical properties; 5,6 no phase transition occurs before its dissociation temperature at 1670°C 7 . These advantages make zircon very attractive in biomaterials, electronic materials, refractories, catalysts, abrasives, thermal barrier coatings, functional absorbents, and biomedical and clinical materials 4,8‐10 . Furthermore, the extraordinary thermal/chemical stability in acidic or basic environments has enabled zircon an outstanding glaze opacifier, pigment supports, and also a superb immobilizer for disposal of radioactive nuclear wastes 11‐15 …”

“…7 These advantages make zircon very attractive in biomaterials, electronic materials, refractories, catalysts, abrasives, thermal barrier coatings, functional absorbents, and biomedical and clinical materials. 4,[8][9][10] Furthermore, the extraordinary thermal/chemical stability in…”

Influence of Titanium Surface Porosity on Adhesive Strength of Coatings Containing Calcium Silicate

“…While using titanium alloys for creating spacecrafts, special coatings with high reflection coefficients may be required to provide better temperature control. Common pigments for such coatings are metal oxides such as ZnO, TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 or spinels such as Zn 2 TiO 4 , MgAl 2 O 4 [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Silicate materials or organic compounds are used as a binder [ 6 , 7 ].…”