Characterization of plasma-sprayed alumina as thermal control coating for micro-satellite applications

Abstract

Conventional thermal control materials (TCMs) used in satellites tend to deteriorate in the severe space environment, many times leading to unanticipated mission problems. New and better TCMs are constantly sought to reduce difficulties in satellite thermal design. In this paper, the possibility of using plasma-sprayed alumina (PSA) coating for thermal control of a satellite is examined. Such PSA coatings have proved to be a good thermal barrier coating material for hot section components in aircraft engines. Panels of aluminum alloys such as 2024-T3, 6061-T6, 7075, and so on which are commonly used for satellite applications, form a very compatible substrate for PSA coatings. Various physical and processing parameters and simulated in-service behaviour for PSA were studied analytically and experimentally. Preliminary investigations reveal that the PSA coatings have good potential as a substitute to conventional TCMs for micro-satellite panels, including solar arrays.