The external components of spacecraft and satellites endure extreme environmental conditions, including ultra-vacuum, UV radiation, temperature fluctuations, and atomic oxygen, leading to material degradation over time. Among the most vulnerable parts are the solar panels and their supporting base structures, which lack the protection of multi-layer insulation. This research aims to enhance the resilience of these components through innovative material solutions, contributing to sustainability by addressing space debris and minimizing the depletion of critical Earth resources.
Aluminum-based alloys, such as AA2024, AA6062, and AA7075, are commonly used in aerospace applications due to their favorable weight-to-strength ratio. However, their durability in harsh space environments remains limited. To overcome these challenges, high-entropy alloys (HEAs) are proposed as advanced protective coatings for these conventional aluminum alloys. HEAs, composed of multiple metallic elements, offer superior resistance to corrosion, oxidation, and mechanical wear due to their unique lattice distortions and entropic stabilization effects. By serving as coatings, HEAs can enhance the longevity and performance of aluminum alloys without compromising their lightweight properties.
This research integrates green chemistry principles by prioritizing resource efficiency, waste minimization, and the development of reusable materials. HEA coatings contribute to sustainability by extending the lifespan of satellite components and enabling their recovery and recycling at the end of their operational life, thus reducing the environmental footprint of aerospace systems. Additionally, HEAs allow for the incorporation of environmentally abundant and less toxic elements, aligning with the principles of sustainable material design.
The study evaluates HEA-coated aluminum alloys, such as AlMgSiMnCr, under simulated low Earth orbit conditions, including vacuum, ultraviolet radiation (UV-A, UV-B, UV-C), and thermal cycling. Surface, microstructural, and electrochemical analyses will be conducted to assess improvements in corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and overall durability.
By leveraging high-entropy alloys as coatings, this research aims to advance the development of greener, more resilient materials for satellite applications. The outcomes are expected to significantly enhance material performance while contributing to the global effort to make aerospace technologies more sustainable and environmentally friendly.