China makes new materials for spacecraft surfaces

Chinese researchers have developed a new type of 2-layer polyimide nanocomposite film that can be used to more effectively protect the outer surfaces of spacecraft.

The Long March-5 rocket carrying the Tianwen-1 probe leaves the launch pad at Wenchang Space Center in Hainan province, China.

Thanks to their mechanical properties, thermal stability and chemical resistance, polyimide composite membranes have long been widely used to protect spacecraft operating under adverse external conditions on the ground. low orbit of the Earth. However, this material is very susceptible to atomic oxygen in the space environment, leading to a drastic reduction in physical and mechanical properties.

Researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China have fabricated a new polyimide nanocomplex film with significantly improved mechanical properties and atomic oxygen resistance by integrating the plates. nano mica with polyimide into a 2-layer structure. The above-mentioned nanocomplex film can resist atomic oxygen, ultraviolet rays and space debris.

The performance of this material is superior to that of pure polyimide, single-layer polyimide mica sheet and other previously reported polyimide-based composite films.