Programme Element: ARTES 5.1
Reference nr.: 13.1TT.32
Planned Tender Issue: quarter 4, 2013
(*) Priority 2
The objective is to develop advanced techniques and materials for faster and simpler painting processes on aluminium.
Targeted Improvements: Antenna schedule time reduction of about 1 to 2 weeks (critical path of satellite schedule).
Description:
It is known that the painting activity for antenna feed chain assemblies made of aluminium requires a pre-treatment, such as anti-corrosion, and a primer application prior to the paint application itself. Furthermore, the drying time for such a painting process is quite long, typically a few days, making the complete painting process significantly time-consuming. Recently, some advanced health- and environment-friendly techniques and materials for faster and simpler painting processes on aluminium have been successfully developed in the European aeronautical industry. It would therefore be advantageous to assess the possibility of using the same techniques, or at least the same approach, for space industry applications for which environmental requirements are known to be stringent.
The study will consist in the development of some advanced techniques and materials for faster and simpler painting processes. The study shall focus on time reduction and simplification of the painting process on aluminium pieces. In particular, the anti-corrosion treatment shall be further simplified. The painting application (and its prior associated tasks such as pre-treatment and surface preparation) shall be performed in a single step instead of three. Attention shall also be paid to materials and techniques to reduce the drying time of the paint on aluminium. The paint shall furthermore fulfil adherence, ESD and thermo-optical property specifications for space applications with a typical lifetime of 15 years. Manufacturing and testing of representative samples shall be performed for evaluation and industrialisation purposes.
(*) Priority 2 activities will only be initiated on the explicit request of at least one delegation.
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