Abstract
In space filed usually size doesn’t matter but weight does, being a critical point in space structure design stage. Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composite materials are already deployed in many space applications, due to their intrinsic characteristics, mainly their high strength/high stiffness to weight ratio and potential for zero or near-zero CTE, coefficient of thermal expansion. The paper presents the results of the study made on advanced composite exposed to extreme conditions comparable to those found on space environment (Low Earth Orbit – LEO [2000 km). The samples were manufactured from CFRP epoxy composite with different thicknesses (1.2 mm, 1.8 mm, 3.7 mm, 7.7 mm) using autoclave technology. The 1.8 mm thickness samples were coated with 50 and respectively 100 µm of Zn using arc thermal spray technique. Specimens were exposed to UV, gamma radiation and thermal cycles. The results of microstructural, morphological analysis and mechanical characterization showed the aging and damage mechanisms developed post exposure in comparison with reference materials.
Keywords: CFRP; autoclave technology; Low Earth Orbit (LEO); UV; radiation; thermal cycle