- Author
- Kline, H. F.
- Title
- Development of Nonflammable Potting Compounds for Spacecraft Usage.
- Coporate
- National Aeronautics and Space Admin., Houston, TX
- Report
- NASA CR TM X-14330
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Book or Conf
- National Aerospace and Space Administration. NASA Conference on Materials for Improved Fire Safety. May 6-7, 1970., Houston, TX, 9/1-5 p., 1970
- Keywords
- spacecraft | technology utilization | potting compounds | dielectric materials | flammability | electrical properties | oxygen atmosphere
- Identifiers
- materials flammability
- Abstract
- As the space program progresses, the requirements for dielectric materials for electronic components become more stringent. To date, all manned space programs have used an oxygen atmosphere in the crew areas. This atmosphere creates a flammability hazard if conventional dielectric materials are used. In some applications, such hazards have been reduced by covering the conventional dielectric materials with a relatively thick overlay of inorganic coatings sealed with a spray coat of carboxy nitroso rubber. Although quite effective in reducing the fire hazard, some significant problems result from this approach, including the difficulty of performing wiring rework, weight penalties, and availability of acceptable carboxy nitroso rubber. These problems have led to considerable effort by NASA to produce a dielectric material that is relatively inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and readily available. This report relates the progress of this effort and describes some of the materials developed.