Space
Thermo-optical Control
STABLE THERMO-OPTICAL PROPERTIES UNDER EXTREME CONDITIONS
ENBIO’s thermo-optical coatings are designed to survive the harsh conditions of space, and are tested to the highest standards of the European Space Agency. Thermo-optical properties remain extremely stable even after thousands of equivalent-sun-hours. The coatings are free from volatile organic compounds, essentially eliminating out-gassing and making them environmentally safe.
SolarBlack
TRL 8 – INORGANIC HIGH TEMPERATURE BLACK COATING
Solar absorption BOL 0.96 – EOL 0.96
Emissivity BOL 0.8 – EOL 0.8
Stable <-150 to >550ºC
SolarBlack has been extensively tested by ESA and Astrium and is the baseline heatshield coating for ESA’s Solar Orbiter. It will be the first line of defense for the closest man-made object to the Sun. Due to its high emissivity and extremely high solar absorbance, the coating can efficiently absorb incoming solar radiation and re-emit it to the surrounding cold medium of space. It has a unique combination of durability, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity, and contains no volatile organic compounds.
SuperBlack
TRL 3 – INORGANIC HIGH TEMPERATURE CERAMIC BLACK COATING
Solar absorption BOL 0.97
Emissivity BOL 0.90
Stable <-150 to >550 deg C
SuperBlack is a complementary coating to SolarWhite, designed to improve on SolarBlack’s capabilities. The ceramic layer improves the emissivity, while the addition of extra pigment makes the coating even blacker. The coating is applied at room temperature in a similar fashion to SolarWhite, and retains the same inorganic and contamination-resistant properties. SuperBlack is currently being developed towards specific customer requirements; please contact us to discuss your needs.
SolarWhite
TRL 6 – INORGANIC HIGH TEMPERATURE WHITE COATING
Solar absorption BOL 0.17 – EOL 0.20
Emissivity BOL 0.8 – EOL 0.85
Stable <-150 to >550ºC
SolarWhite is ENBIO’s white thermal control coating with minimal absorption. It is currently undergoing qualification for the Solar Orbiter mission. Like SolarBlack, it is inorganic and has the durability and thermal stability that this entails. The coating is applied at room temperature and is suitable for titanium, aluminium, and CFRP substrates. SolarWhite’s absorption and emission values are highly stable, the coating is resistant to contamination, and no out-gassing occurs at high temperature.
Lubrication / Wear resistance
ONE-STEP DEPOSITION OF FLUOROPOLYMER
CoBlast Skins have achieved a coefficient of friction below 0.15, as measured by the pin-on-disk method. These coatings exhibit significantly reduced wear compared to the untreated substrate.
