AL{sub}2O{sub}3 NANOTUBE/EPOXY INORGANIC-ORGANIC NANOCOMPOSITES UNDER SIMULATED LEO SPACE ENVIRONMENT

摘要

In this study, low Earth orbit (LEO) space environment characteristics of AL{sub}2O{sub}3 nanotube reinforced epoxy matrix nanocompsites were investigated. Fabrication of AL{sub}2O{sub}3 nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites with different nanotube weight concentrations was made using ultra-sonication and homogenisation. AL{sub}2O{sub}3 nanotube/epoxy nanocomposites were tested in simulated low Earth orbit (LEO) environment. The LEO space environment simulation was characterized by high vacuum, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and atomic oxygen (AO) atmosphere. Tensile properties, coefficient of thermal expansion, mass loss, and surface morphology of AL{sub}2O{sub}3 nanotube reinforced epoxy matrix composites, including un-reinforced epoxy, after the simulated LEO space environment exposure, were measured. Experimental results showed that LEO space environment characteristics of epoxy are significantly enhanced by the reinforcement of AL{sub}2O{sub}3 nanotubes.