Session: 03-09-01: Materials for Extreme Environments

Paper Number: 183387

183387 - Low-Earth Orbit Effects on Shape Memory Polymers 

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) offer a compelling alternative for actuation in compact, lightweight, and reliable deployable structures for space applications. SMPs are novel for their ability to change shape in response to a thermal stimulus making it possible to stow the material into a compact space then deploy and actuate the materials into rigid geometries. However, their long-term performance in the extreme space environment remains a significant concern. In low Earth orbit (LEO), materials are exposed to ultraviolet radiation, atomic oxygen, vacuum, and severe thermal cycling. These conditions can alter the macromolecular structure of SMPs affecting the overall macromolecular chain mobility. Because shape memory behavior depends strongly on molecular mobility, understanding how these environmental effects influence the macromolecular structure and recovery response of SMPs is critical for reliable space use. This study evaluates a variety of SMP materials following a 6-month exposure on the MISSE-17 mission aboard the International Space Station. Eight materials are evaluated: prestrained polystyrene (PS), prestrained polystyrene with an aluminum coating (Al-PS), prestrained polystyrene with a Kapton coating (K-PS), polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), polymethyl methacrylate (Acrylic), and three different formulations of EPON/NGDE epoxy based mixes. After undergoing space exposure to either Wake or Zenith orientations aboard ISS, the materials are tested relative to materials prepared at the same time and stored in a controlled environment on earth’s surface. The materials are evaluated for changes in their macromolecular structure (FTIR, GPC, and NMR), shifts in thermomechanical properties (DMTA), and the shape memory response of the material through free and constrained recovery testing. The results from the study will propel forward new technological capabilities related to lightweight deployable SMP structures for applications in space technology.

Presenting Author: Robin Weaver Auburn University

Presenting Author Biography: Robin Weaver is a Graduate Research Assistant in the Polymer Mechanics Research Laboratory at Auburn University. She recently completed her master’s degree in aerospace engineering, where she developed and evaluated space-resilient polymers for use in extreme environments. As a recipient of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship (NSF GRFP), she is continuing her graduate studies with a focus on smart materials and adaptive structures for space applications. Her current research explores shape memory polymers and responsive composites to enable lightweight, deployable, and self-actuating systems for future space missions. Her broader interests lie in advancing multifunctional materials and manufacturing strategies to improve the performance and reliability of aerospace structures operating in harsh environments.