INVESTIGATION OF THE DEGRADATION OF THERMAL CONTROL MATERIALS BY THERMAL ANALYSIS

摘要

Thermal Analysis (TA) is the name of a collection of techniques that investigate material properties as a function of temperature. Four main techniques that all look at specific material properties are Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermogravimetric Analysis, Thermomechnical Analysis and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis. The thermal stability of Kapton HN and Upilex S has been investigated at around 250°C for Venus Express and at 350°C for BepiColombo. Samples were aged at representative temperature levels, also in combination with UV and proton radiation. For both thermal environments Upilex S is the most stable material.