Dimensionally and environmentally ultra-stable polymer composites reinforced with carbon fibres
Dimensionally and environmentally ultra-stable polymer composites reinforced with carbon fibres
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DOI：
10.1038/s41563-019-0565-3
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发表时间：
2019-12-23
期刊：
影响因子：
41.2
通讯作者：
Silva, S. R. P.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Anguita, J., V;Smith, C. T. G.;Silva, S. R. P.
当共形沉积在太空应用中使用的碳纤维增强聚合物上时，多层类金刚石碳薄膜被证明可以起到防潮层的作用。为了开发能够为航天器关键尺寸部件制造尺寸超稳定结构的材料，数十年来进行了大量研究，并推动了碳纤维增强聚合物材料的发展。这导致结构设计具有接近零的热膨胀系数。然而，由于水分的进入和释放而导致的尺寸不稳定性仍然是该基体的根本弱点，这限制了许多应用。在这里，我们通过开发一种符合空间要求的物理表面屏障来应对这一挑战，该屏障融合了复合材料的机械性能，从而成为复合材料本身的一部分。由此产生的增强复合材料具有优于底层复合材料的机械完整性和强度，同时保持不受湿气和排气的影响。我们展示了用于 Sentinel-5 任务的模型大小组件的生产能力，并为未来的欧洲航天局 (ESA) 和美国国家航空航天局 (NASA) 项目（如哥白尼扩展、地球探索者和科学宇宙愿景）展示了这种能力。
Multiple layers of diamond-like carbon films are shown to act as moisture barriers when conformally deposited on carbon fibre reinforced polymers used in space applications.The quest to develop materials that enable the manufacture of dimensionally ultra-stable structures for critical-dimension components in spacecraft has led to much research over many decades and the evolution of carbon fibre reinforced polymer materials. This has resulted in structural designs that feature a near-zero coefficient of thermal expansion. However, the dimensional instabilities that result from moisture ingression and release remain the fundamental vulnerability of the matrix, which restricts many applications. Here, we address this challenge by developing a space-qualifiable physical surface barrier that blends within the mechanical properties of the composite, thus becoming part of the composite itself. The resulting enhanced composite features mechanical integrity and a strength that is superior to the underlying composite, while remaining impervious to moisture and outgassing. We demonstrate production capability for a model-sized component for the Sentinel-5 mission and demonstrate such capability for future European Space Agency (ESA) and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) programmes such as Copernicus Extension, Earth Explorer and Science Cosmic Visions.