Chapter 19 - Polymer and carbon nanotube composites for space applications

Abstract

This chapter deals with polymer and carbon nanotube (CNT) composite materials that are potentially useful for space applications because of their unique combination of electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Much of the research has focused on using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as electrically conductive additives for polymers to mitigate electrostatic charged build-up. This addresses a problem that is particularly relevant to large, deployable spacecraft composed primarily of polymer materials such as Gossamer structures. These spacecraft are constructed of compliant polymeric materials that can be folded into compact volumes for launch. Transparent, conductive coatings are needed, which can tolerate folding and subsequent deployment. Other concepts for polymer and CNT composites include lightweight, radiation shielding, high thermal conductivity matrices and coatings, and structural matrix systems. Space environment survivability is an important factor in the development of nano-composite materials. Polymer nanocomposites will suffer from environmentally induced degradation because of particulate radiation, atomic oxygen, ultraviolet radiation, thermal cling, micrometeoroid impacts, and synergistic effects because of combinations. Space environment, the effects of the space environment on polymer nanocomposites, and potential applications of polymer nanocomposites are also discussed in the chapter.