Spacecraft

Plastic materials for use in space vehicles, satellites, and spacecraft instrumentation

Space launch vehicles, satellites, and spacecraft instruments are all part of the rapidly growing space technology industry. Plastics are extremely important for spacecraft, primarily because of the weight savings that can be achieved using these materials.

Thermoplastics and thermoplastic composites are used for a wide range of spacecraft applications including bearings, optical lens centering rings, valve and regulator components, electrical insulators, radomes, and magnetometer components.

Selecting plastics for spacecraft applications involves a number of considerations unique to the space environment. Design considerations include resistance to atomic oxygen and radiation, flammability including compatibility with liquid oxygen (LOX) and gaseous oxygen (GOX), and outgassing and friction and wear characteristics in vacuum conditions. It is also important to consider the behavior of plastics in the extreme temperatures associated with launch and when operating in space.

Curbell Plastics supplies a number of high-performance polymers including Ultem®, PCTFE, PTFE, and DuPont™ Vespel® polyimide, that are frequently specified by spacecraft designers.

Benefits of Plastics for Demanding Spacecraft Applications:

Low outgassing in vacuum
Low friction, long life, and low wear on mating metal surfaces in vacuum
Good sealing characteristics and consistent actuation torque when used in spacecraft valves
Resistance to solvents, propellants, and other corrosive chemicals
Resistance to radiation from sources both internal and external to the spacecraft
Resistance to erosion from atomic oxygen
The ability to operate reliably in a space environment with a temperature range of -150 °C to 130 degrees °C
The ability to operate at elevated temperatures when used in rocket engine applications
Excellent flammability characteristics including compatibility with LOX (liquid oxygen) and GOX (gaseous oxygen)
Low moisture absorption prior to flight
Excellent dimensional stability including a low and consistent coefficient of thermal expansion
Sufficient mechanical properties to withstand the stresses associated with launch
Light weight / high specific strength, and high specific modulus
Excellent fatigue resistance including the ability to withstand vibration and thermal cycling
Low dielectric constant and low dissipation factor throughout a broad range of temperatures and frequencies when used for spacecraft antenna radomes
High dielectric strength for electrical insulators
Low thermal conductivity for thermal insulators
Vibration damping characteristics for sensitive optics and electronics