Thermal cycling test
(based on ESA ECSS-Q-ST-70-04)
Space vehicles are exposed to continuous temperature changes e.g. due to changing sun irradiation. For materials to be capable for space applications the performance under changing ambient temperatures in vacuum is an important issue. The thermal-cycling test may be used to assess materials for their space capability.
The test setup used for thermal cycling of samples consists of a heating/cooling plate made of copper which can be temperature controlled in a range between 80K and 500K. Cooling is performed with liquid nitrogen, heating is performed electrically. A maximum temperature-gradient of 8°C/min can be used for thermal cycling.
The temperature of the heating/cooling plate is monitored and adjusted by an Eurotherm® temperature controller. Furthermore, several thermos-couples are implemented in the setup continuously monitoring and recording temperatures on different relevant spots of the setup (pre-defined by customer). All thermo-sensors are calibrated and have accuracy better than ±2°C.
The entire setup is placed in a vacuum chamber capable of pressures down to 10-7 mbar. For thermo-cycling processes a pressure better than 10-5 mbar is required. For pumping a turbo-molecular pump is used. A PC program controls and measures all relevant variables and allows automatically completing complicated temperature profiles.
On customer request additional electrical feedthroughs are available and may be used for in-situ measurement of diverse properties (e.g. electrical resistivity) during the thermal cycling test. The measured values are recorded together with the temperature and vacuum values.
Post examination (SEM-, LO-microscopy, NDT) and testing (e.g. mechanical tests, electrical tests) can be carried out at AAC.
FIG.: Typical temperature and vacuum plots during thermal cycling test
According to different customer requirements a variety of vacuum cambers are available offering different dimensions and different feed-feedthroughs to perform in-situ measurement of various properties (e.g. electrical resistivity) during the thermal cycling test.
Test rig | Size of
heating/cooling plate |
Temperature range |
TVC
Thermal vacuum Chamber |
100x70cm, 2 plates | -160 to +250°C |
LVC
Large Vacuum Chamber |
100x70cm, 2 plates
Shroud 100x100x40cm |
-160 to +250°C |
Outgassing | 30cm diameter | -180 to +300°C |
WRK | 50x50cm | -180 to +300°C |
MiniWRK | 35x30cm | -180 to +500°C |
Thermal Cycling facts:
Temperature range
Tmin -180 °C
Tmax +300 °C
Vacuum
< 10-5 mbar
Typical temperature cycles (if not otherwise specified by customer)
Temperature extremes: -160 °C and +160 °C
Heating and cooling rates: 6 °C /min
Dwell times at temperature extremes: 15 min
Number of cycles: 100