LIGHT-WEIGHT STRUCTURAL MATERIALS WITH INTEGRAL RADIATION SHIELDING, THERMAL CONTROL AND ELECTRONICS

摘要

This paper describes a feasibility investigation for developing structural composite materials with integrated active thermal control and control system electronics for space applications. The materials were also designed to provide mass-effective shielding against space radiation. Graphite-epoxy composites with integrated variable emissivity solid state electrochromic tiles and impregnated with materials for enhanced radiation shielding were fabricated. The tiles were electrically connected to a Kapton panel which was bonded to the composite and incorporated conductor traces for electronics. Key emissivity, radiation (proton) attenuation, and mechanical property measurements were made on the integrated composite structure. Limited variable emissivity performance was demonstrated in the laboratory. Proton attenuation through the materials agreed well with design predictions. Preliminary measurements in flexure tests show high values of tensile strength and modulus for the integrated composite. The failure was initiated by cracking of the electrochromic tiles. The emissivity modulation range, mechanical ruggedness, and radiation attenuation per unit mass of the integrated composite can be improved by using thin-film conductive polymer electrochromics currently under development.