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Preparation of large-particle-size monodisperse latexes in spaceResults are reported of latex sphere polymerization experiments performed on two flights of the Columbia and three flights of the Challenger. The trials were carried out because polymerization of the spheres in space avoids coagulation, nucleation of a new crop of particles, and excessive stirring requirements, and allows growth of spheres larger than 4 microns diam. The Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR) held four stirred 100 cc sealed stainless steel cylindrical containers. The mixtures were monitored for the conversion times, volume decreases as spheres formed and the mixture temperature. The spheres were grown from 0.19 micron seeds. Details of the flight preparation efforts are outlined. In flights which did not experience mechanical malfunctions spheres 3-30 microns diam were grown that had noticeably lower size variations than did the ground-based control particles. The 10 micron diam spheres grown on STS-6 were accepted as standard reference material by the NBS and became the first products made in space to be commercially sold on earth; the 30 micron spheres also became NBS standards. The experiments confirmed all projected benefits of producing the spheres in space, as well as provided the opportunity to grow more larger offsize spheres by finishing the growths on earth.
Document ID
19860052304
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Vanderhoff, J. W.
(Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
El-Aasser, M. S.
(Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Micale, F. J.
(Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Sudol, E. D.
(Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Tseng, C. M.
(Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Silwanowicz, A.
(Lehigh Univ. Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Sheu, H. R.
(Lehigh University Bethlehem, PA, United States)
Kornfeld, D. M.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1986
Subject Category
Astronautics (General)
Accession Number
86A37042
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-32951
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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