Effects of Extreme Radiation Environment on Composite Materials (original) (raw)
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Radiation effects on composites for long-duration lunar habitats
Journal of Composite Materials, 2013
Fiber-reinforced composites are of great interest to NASA for deep-space habitation missions due to the specific strength, modulus and potential radiation shielding properties. However, the durability of these materials on long-duration missions has not been evaluated. Few studies have been conducted on the radiation effects of fiber-reinforced composites in space and even fewer have been conducted with high-energy protons, which replicate portions of the deep-space radiation environment. Furthermore, previous studies of carbon fiber-reinforced composites focused on pure epoxy composites, and aerospace composites in use today include toughening agents to increase the toughness of the material. These toughening agents are typically either rubber particles or thermoplastics, known to be susceptible to ionizing radiation, and could affect the overall composite durability when exposed to high-energy protons. Thus, NASA has undertaken a study to understand the long-term radiation effects...
Radiation Effects on Spacecraft Structural Materials
Research is being conducted to develop an integrated technology for the prediction of aging behavior for space structural materials during service. This research will utilize state-of-the-art radiation experimental apparatus and analysis, updated codes and databases, and integrated mechanical and radiation testing techniques to investigate the suitability of numerous current and potential spacecraft structural materials. Also included are the effects on structural materials in surface modules and planetary landing craft, with or without fission power supplies. Spacecraft structural materials would also be in hostile radiation environments on the surface of the moon and planets without appreciable atmospheres and moons around planets with large intense magnetic and radiation fields (such as the Jovian moons). The effects of extreme temperature cycles in such locations compounds the effects of radiation on structural materials. This paper describes the integrated methodology in detail...
JOM, 2009
How would you… …describe the overall signifi cance of this paper? Long-duration human exploration beyond the low Earth orbit mandates development of materials to minimize crew and equipment exposure to the interplanetary radiation environment. A polyethylene fi berreinforced epoxy matrix composite with an open cell carbon foam and vacuum plasma deposited boron carbide coating was developed to potentially satisfy the primary requirements for radiation shielding, structural integrity, micrometeoroid impact, and atmospheric re-entry temperature resistance. …describe this work to a materials science and engineering professional with no experience in your technical specialty? Interaction of the charged particles in the interplanetary radiation environment with a shielding material takes place through several specifi c atomic and nuclear processes. Using a shielding material to break the heavy ions in the galactic cosmic ray fl ux into smaller fragments with lower ionizing power is the only realistic solution for passive radiation shielding design. The emphasis of this work was to develop a multifunctional composite architecture that will satisfy the requirements for deep space radiation shielding and also for structural integrity, micrometeroid impact, and re-entry temperatures. …describe this work to a layperson? A challenge to NASA's vision for long-duration human space exploration is to minimize the radiation exposure to the interplanetary radiation environment. This paper discusses a multifunctional composite material that will provide shielding from cosmic radiation while also providing structural integrity, thermal management, and protection from micrometeroid impact. Long-duration human exploration beyond the low Earth orbit (LEO) mandates development of materials to minimize crew and equipment exposure to the interplanetary radiation environment. The potential for biological damage by the relatively low percentage of high-energy heavy ions in the galactic cosmic ray spectrum far outweigh that due to lighter particles because of their ionizing power and the quality of the resulting biological damage. To avoid paying a penalty due to additional weight, it would be benefi cial to develop a multifunctional material as an integral part of a spacecraft structure to provide shielding effectiveness and structural integrity. This paper discusses the development of polyethylene fi ber reinforced epoxy matrix structural composites that effectively satisfy both primary requirements.
Advanced Radiation-Resistant Ceramic Composites
Advances in Science and Technology, 2006
Ceramic matrix composites (CMC's), particularly silicon carbide (SiC) fiber-reinforced SiC-matrix (SiC/SiC) composites, have been studied for advanced nuclear energy applications for more than a decade. The perceived potentials for advanced SiC/SiC composites include the ability to operate at temperature regimes much higher than heat-resistant alloys, the inherent low inducedactivation nuclear properties, and the tolerance against neutron irradiation at high temperatures. This paper reviews the recent research and development of the advanced radiation-resistant SiC/SiC composites for nuclear applications. Additionally, remaining general and specific technical issues for SiC/SiC composites for nuclear applications are discussed.
Trends in reinforced composite design for ionizing radiation shielding applications: a review
Journal of Materials Science, 2021
This review explored recent developments in reinforced composite design and applications for improved radiation shielding and high percentage attenuation. Radiation energy moves as a wave. Thus unguarded exposure to high-energy radiation is inimical to the human tissue and the overall health standing of individuals which may result in cancer, tumour, skin burns and cardiovascular diseases. Radiation energy is conventionally contained using lead-based shields. However, recent literature has faulted the continued use of lead citing drawbacks such as high toxicity, poisoning, lack of chemical stability, heaviness and hazardous after life handling. Consequently, the trending research evidence has shown mass deviation towards the use of reinforced polymer composite as an alternative to lead due to their light weight, low cost, high resilience, good mechanical tenacity and interesting electrical properties. The present review therefore summarizes the criteria for ionizing radiation shielding material design, mechanism of radiation energy shielding, beam penetration in composite shielding materials, theoretical shielding parameters in the design of radiation protective materials, scheme of reinforced composite material selection for shielding purposes and various control variables in the design of composite for ionizing radiation shielding. In addition, an attempt was made to highlight gaps in research and draw future scope for further studies. It is expected that this review will give some guidance to the future exploration in the design and application of reinforced composite with respect to ionizing radiation shielding processes.
Compact light-weight polymer composite materials for radiation shielding in outer space
Proceedings of 73rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC), 2022
So called primary cosmic rays, high energy protons and atomic nuclei traveling at the speed of light through space, constitute a significant portion of dangers of space travel-as well as do the products of their collisions with the atmosphere or other matter, the secondary cosmic rays, which include many more different particles, such as muons, pions, neutrinos, and neutrons, but also protons and alpha particles, as well as X-rays. Especially in the light of longer distance advancements in space, such as the colonisation of Mars, radiation shielding becomes one of the consideration points of the highest importance. Particles such as protons or neutrons can be shielded by materials containing hydrogen, while photons in the X-ray or gamma-ray range need high-electron-density materials-such materials, built from light atoms like hydrogen and carbon, are the topic of this work. In order to combine shielding efforts as well as minimise secondary particle production inside the material various composite materials are being developed and used, mostly with polyethylene, lately also boron nitride and graphene addons. Gradient composite shielding material also serves for keeping the product compact and relatively lightweight , allowing for both architectural and textile usage cases. Importantly, early research stages suggest the possibility to use biocomposites, utilising microbes and microbe-derived products.
A Comprehensive Study of Ceramic Matrix Composites for Space Applications
Advances in Materials Science and Engineering
Ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) have grown in popularity as a material for a range of high as well as protection components, increasing the need to better understand the impacts of multiple machining methods. It is primarily composed of ceramic fibers embedded in the matrix. Ceramic materials, especially carbon fibers and carbon were used to create the matrix and fibers. These ceramics include a huge variety of non-metallic inorganic materials that are regularly utilized under high temperatures. The aircraft industry became revolutionized by this unique combination of materials, which made parts better resistant under extreme conditions as well as lighter than the earlier technology. The development, properties, and production of ceramic matrix composites, as well as space applications, are discussed in this article. Ceramic materials have an interesting set of properties, including great strength and stiffness under extremely high temperatures, chemical inertness, low density, etc...
Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 2013
NASA is studying the effects of long-term space radiation on potential multifunctional composite materials for habitats to better determine their characteristics in the harsh space environment. Two composite materials were selected for the study and were placed in a test stand that simulated the stresses of a pressure vessel wall on the material. The samples in the test stand were exposed to radiation at either a fast dose rate or a slow dose rate, and their strain and temperature was recorded during the exposure. It was found that during a fast dose rate exposure the materials saw a decreased strain with time, or a shrinking of the materials. Given previous radiation studies of polymers, this is believed to be a result of crosslinking occurring in the matrix material. However, with a slow dose rate, the materials saw an increase in strain with time, or a stretching of the materials. This result is consistent with scission or degradation of the matrix occurring, possibly due to oxidative degradation.
Effects of radiation on the mechanical properties of structural materials
Journal of Nuclear Materials, 1994
Blends containing 3 wt % low molecular weight polybutadiene ( P B ) in a polystyrene (PS) matrix were prepared via a precipitation technique that yielded spherical, submicron pools of PB. Tensile specimens made from these blends were then irradiated with high energy electrons in air a t dose levels from 0 to 70 Mrads. The blends, which previously showed high levels of toughness approaching that of high impact PS, lost all enhanced toughness when irradiated above 10 Mrads. Analysis of pure PS specimens irradiated over the dose range from 0 to 45 Mrads showed no appreciable dependence of mechanical behavior on dose level. Molecular weight studies of the polybutadiene demonstrated only a very modest increase in molecular weight in the dose range studied here; therefore, reduced mobility of the P B in the blends was not the reason for the dramatic drop in toughness with radiation dose. It was concluded that radiation-induced scission of the PS near the surface of the blends resulted in a significant local reduction in molecular weight. This degraded layer led to premature craze failure and hence a low level of toughness. It was demonstrated that the absence of oxygen during the irradiation process or the removal of the scissioned surface layer via mechanical abrasion resulted in a recovery of toughness. 0