Horizon Microtechnologies has announced that its coated plastic parts have successfully passed outgassing testing according to the ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standard for space materials screening. This certification is required for materials and components intended for use in space applications.
The outgassing test evaluated coated plastic micro-AM parts under thermal vacuum conditions. Test specimens were exposed to 125°C in a vacuum range of 10⁻⁶–10⁻⁷ mbar for 24 hours, with measurements taken before and after the process as well as 24 hours following completion.
The testing process measures the amount of volatile content released and reabsorbed by the parts. It also determines whether tested materials could contaminate neighboring components by measuring material that condenses on a test plate held at 25°C near the samples.
The results showed Total Mass Loss (TML) of 0.354%, Recovered Mass Loss (RML) of 0.166%, and Collected Volatile Condensable Material (CVCM) of 0.000%. These measurements fall within the acceptance limits defined by the ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C standard for spacecraft materials.
The successful completion of this testing represents a step forward for additive manufacturing in space applications. Meeting these stringent outgassing requirements opens potential opportunities for 3D-printed components in spacecraft and satellite systems.
Source: eurekamagazine.co.uk