Effects of Space Environment Factors on the Mechanical, Physical, and Optical Properties of Selected Transparent Elastomers.

Abstract

An experimental investigation was conducted on four different transparent elastomers (silicone, urethane, ethylene-proplylene, and isoprene rubbers) which are candidate matrix materials for flexible windows on spacecraft. The material mechanical properties were measured over a temperature range of from -100 deg C to +100 deg C and after exposure to vacuum, vacuum-heat, and air-heat environments for a period of 30 days. Light transmission through these materials for wavelengths from 230 to 2500 nm was also determined after exposure to environmental conditions. In addition to mechanical and optical properties, measurements were made on specimens to determine vacuum weight loss, gas permeability, the degrading effects of ultraviolet-vacuum exposure, and thermal degradation characteristics.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 1971
Accession Number
ADA309604

Entities

People

  • Jerry G. Williams
  • Joseph H. Judd

Organizations

  • Langley Research Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alkenes
  • Biomedical And Dental Materials
  • Body Weight
  • Cameras
  • Differential Thermal Analysis
  • Heat Energy
  • Ionization Gages
  • Materials
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • Optical Properties
  • Photographs
  • Polymers
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Space Environments
  • Thermal Analysis

Readers

  • Optical Physics and Photonics.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.

Technology Areas

  • Space