Polymerisation processes in expoy resins under influence of free space environment
Abstract
A creation of large size constructions in space or on celestial bodies is possible by the way of chemical reactions of liquid viscous components under space environment conditions [1-2]. In particular, a new technology for large-size space module for electronic components, energy and materials production is developed on the basis of polymerisation technique. The factors of free space environment have a significant influence on the polymerisation processes. The polymerisation processes in active liquid components are sensitive to microgravitation, temperature variations (-150{ldots}+1500C), high vacuum (10-3{ldots}10-7 Pa), atomic oxygen flux (on LEO), UV and VUV irradiations, X-ray and γ -irradiations, high energy electron and ion fluxes. Experiments of polymerisation processes under simulated free space conditions were conducted. The influences of high vacuum, high energy ion beam and rf- and mw-plasma on polymerisation of epoxy resins were observed. The effects of low molecular components evaporations, free radical formations, additional chemical reactions and mixing processes during polymerisation were observed. Our results showed, that the space factors can initiate the polymerisation reaction in epoxy matrix of glass and carbon fibre composites. The result can be used for a technology for large size constructions on Earth orbit, in far space and on space bodies as for deployed antennas, solar sail stringers, solar shield stringers, frame for large-size space station, frame for Moon, Mars, asteroids bases, frame for space plant on Earth orbit and on other celestial bodies. The study was partially supported by Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (A. Kondyurin) and European Space Agency, ESTEC (contract 17083/03/NL/Sfe "Space Environmental Effects on the Polymerisation of Composite Structures"). 1. A.Kondyurin, B.Lauke, Polymerisation processes in simulated free space conditions, Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Materials in a Space Environment, Noordwijk, The Netherlands, 16-20 June, 2003, ESA SP-540, September 2003, pp.75-80. 2. V.A.Briskman, T.M.Yudina, K.G.Kostarev, A.V.Kondyurin, V.B.Leontyev, M.G.Levkovich, A.L.Mashinsky, G.S.Nechitailo, Polymerization in microgravity as a new process in space technology, Acta Astronautica, vol.48, N2-3, 2001, pp.169-180.
- Publication:
-
35th COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- 2004
- Bibcode:
- 2004cosp...35..838K