Source abstract
Abstract
Abstract The goals of this two-phase experimental program were to optimize the effectiveness of an icephobic coating for use on several Space Shuttle surfaces. Coating application with a foam brush provided consistent, controlled and reproducible surface coverage. Ice samples were grown slowly and consistently at −10°C prior to cooling to a constant −112°C temperature for cryogenic double lap shear testing. Phase 1 tests were focused on finding an optimal coating mix of Rain-X and varying weight fractions of PTFE powders MP-55 and UF-8TA. The MP-55 coatings produced large reductions in ice adhesion to aluminum coupons while the UF-8TA coatings were similar to uncoated controls. The M4 mixture with 40% MP-55 and 60% Rain-X gave the best and most consistent coating with outstanding performance and durability through five cycles of ice growth and adhesion failure. Phase 2 tests verified the effectiveness and durability of this coating over Koropon, Kapton tape, Kapton film and fire-retardant-paint surfaces on the shuttle and quantified the changes in effectiveness resulting from the addition of an ultraviolet light absorber (UVA). Solvent loss from Rain-X during prolonged mixing of the coating caused a greater increase in ice adhesion than that by adding the UVA.
Source: openalex_inverted_index · Quality: baseline
Affiliations
a U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center , Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory , Hanover , NH 03755 , USA
b NASA Engineering & Safety Center , Marshall Space Flight Center , Huntsville , AL 35812 , USA
c National Institute of Aerospace , Hampton , VA 23666 , USA
d NASA Langley Research Center , Hampton , VA 23681 , USA
e NASA John F. Kennedy Space Center , KSC , FL 32899 , USA
f Lockheed Martin Space Systems , Marshall Space Flight Center , Huntsville , AL 35812 , USA