Effect of space environment on composite materials and thermal coatings (AO 138-9)

The results are presented of experiments located in one of FRECOPA canister on epoxy-matrix carbon fiber reinforced composite materials, adhesives, and thermal coatings. Only thermal coatings and some composite materials were exposed to direct space environment for the first year, while other materials (for mechanical and expansion tests) were located in the lower levels (subjected to only vacuum and thermal cycling). In order to assess the degradation of materials after space aging, reference specimens were stored in clean room for the duration of LDEF mission and tested at the same time as the aged specimens.