SolarBlack

Inorganic flat absorber coating

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SolarBlack has been extensively tested by ESA and Astrium and is used as the heatshield coating for ESA’s Solar Orbiter. It is the first line of defence for the closest man-made object to the Sun. Due to its high emissivity and extremely high solar absorptance, 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. 

Aluminium coupon with ENBIO SolarBlack coating

Key Features

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Inorganic

Fully inorganic pigment composition for exceptional stability of thermo-optical properties in the space environment.

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Stable Thermo-Optical Properties

Fully inorganic pigment composition leads to exceptionally stable thermo-optical properties in the space environment.

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Wide Temperature Range

Stable to high temperatures (700 °C under vacuum), and repeated thermal cycling (−190 °C to +300 °C)

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Conductive

Retains the electrical conductivity of the underlying substrate (unlike anodised finishes), which prevents static discharge.

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Thickness

Thickness 2 μm-5 μm
Applicable to thin substrates, including 25 μm Ti foils

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Solar Reflectance

Typical 0.96 at BOL and EOL

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Thermal Emittance

Typical 0.79 at BOL and EOL

Substrate Materials

SolarBlack is compatible with virtually any metallic substrate, including:

Aluminium alloys:

  • Al2024
  • Al5051
  • Al6082
  • Al7075
  • Numerous other aluminium alloys

Titanium alloys:

  • Titanium grade 2
  • Titanium grade 5
  • Other titanium alloys

Ferrous Alloys:

  • Stainless steel 303
  • Stainless steel 316

Other metallic alloys:

  • Copper and copper alloys
  • Beryllium
  • Magnesium
  • Inconel
  • Nitinol

3D Printing Alloys:

  • Scalmalloy®

Listed above is a subset of the substrate materials that have been successfully used with SolarBlack.

SolarBlack is compatible with corrosition inhibiting primers such as

  • Alodine 1200
  • SurTec 650

Contact us for a full list of compatible materials.

Technology Readiness Level

TRL 9

Heritage

  • ESA Solar Orbiter (Sun approach)
  • ESA JUICE (RIME antenna)
  • ESA MetOp-SG
  • ESA ExoMars
  • UCD EIRSAT-1 (LEO)
  • Other commercial satellite platforms

Qualifications

  • ESA Solar Orbiter (interplanetary)
  • ESA JUICE
  • UCD/ESA EIRSAT-1 satellite (LEO)
  • Thales Copernicus CO2M
  • Other commercial satellite platforms

Download Information Sheet

SolarBlack Information Sheet

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