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Screening of High Temperature Organic Materials for Future Stirling ConvertorsAlong with major advancement of Stirling-based convertors, high temperature organics are needed to develop future higher temperature convertors for much improved efficiencies as well as to improve the margin of reliability for the current SOA (State-of-the-Art) convertors. The higher temperature capabilities would improve robustness of the convertors and also allow them to be used in additional missions, particularly ones that require a Venus flyby for a gravity assist. Various organic materials have been employed as essential components in the convertor for their unique properties and functions such as bonding, potting, sealing, thread locking, insulation, and lubrication. The Stirling convertor radioisotope generators have been developed for potential future space applications including Lunar/Mars surface power or a variety of spacecraft and vehicles, especially with a long mission cycle, sometimes up to 17 years, such as deep space exploration. Thus, performance, durability, and reliability of the organics should be critically evaluated in terms of every possible material structure-process-service environment relations based on the potential mission specifications. The initial efforts in screening the high temperature candidates focused on the most susceptible organics, such as adhesive, potting compound, O-ring, shrink tubing, and thread locker materials in conjunction with commercially available materials. More systematic and practical test methodologies that were developed and optimized based on the extensive organic evaluations and validations performed for various Stirling convertor types were employed to determine thermal stability, outgassing, and material compatibility of the selected organic candidates against their functional requirements. Processing and fabrication conditions and procedures were also optimized. This report presents results of the three-step candidate evaluation processes, their application limitations, and the final selection recommendations.
Document ID
20170010416
Acquisition Source
Glenn Research Center
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Shin, Euy-sik E. (Ohio Aerospace Inst. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Scheiman, Daniel A. (Ohio Aerospace Inst. Brook Park, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
October 31, 2017
Publication Date
October 1, 2017
Subject Category
Nuclear Physics
Inorganic, Organic And Physical Chemistry
Report/Patent Number
NASA/CR-2017-219567
E-19415
GRC-E-DAA-TN46404
Funding Number(s)
WBS: WBS 533127.02.16.03.04
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNC13BA10B
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
Screening
high temperature organics
Stirling convertor

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