Self-healing polymers for space: A study on autonomous repair performance and response to space radiation

One of the main challenges space exploration is to properly protect astronauts from hazards environment. Space suits were hence created crewmembers during extravehicular activities, but they are currently unable withstand damage after, for example, impacts with micrometeoroids and orbital debris (MMOD), would depressurize collapse if punctured, catastrophic consequences. In this context, possibility integrating self-healing materials into spacesuits has drawn attention scientific community, as it lead autonomous restoration subsequently increased safety operational life. Nevertheless, effects environment on these still be determined could a significant decrease their overall performance. The here presented study focuses first example application suit, analyzing healing performance set candidate polymers before after exposure simulated radiation. A comparison bilayers nanocomposites having matrices also made in non-irradiated case. This research aims at filling gap between standard characterization (e.g.: scratch, impact, puncture tests) assessment radiation them by combining two aspects. Understanding how can affect recovery fact fundamental determine whether given material actually used applications. response assessed through in-situ flow rate measurements damage. Maximum minimum rate, time air volume lost within 3 min following collected parameters. For neat materials, same tests then repeated gamma-ray irradiated samples variation self-repairing Results show that higher systems lower viscous decreases irradiation. further analysis required. NASA HZETRN2015 (High Z Energy TRaNsport, 2015 version) software simulate action galactic cosmic rays suit activity. classic multilayer compared configurations which bladder replaced layer each analyzed identify most promising candidates addition nanofillers significantly increases shielding ability.