Spacecraft Thermal Coatings: anodized
Spacecraft thermal control coating optical properties — solar absorptivity (alpha) and infrared emissivity (epsilon) for common spacecraft thermal surfaces. Covers white paints (S13G/L, Z-93/AZ-93, YB-71, Aeroglaze A276), black paints (Aeroglaze Z306/Chemglaze Z306, MAP-9, carbon-black, Acktar Fractal Black), optical solar reflectors (OSR quartz/Ag, OSR glass/Al, flexible Ag-FEP), silver-Teflon tape (Ag/FEP 2-mil and 5-mil), gold foil (VDG on Kapton), aluminized Kapton (Al-side out, Kapton-side out, double-aluminized), bare metals (polished Al, alodine Al, electropolished SS, mechanically polished SS, Ti-6Al-4V), anodized aluminum (clear anodize, black anodize), MLI materials (beta cloth, embossed Al-Mylar), and conductive coatings (Ge/Kapton, ITO/Kapton). All values are BOL (beginning of life). Data from NASA RP-1121, Gilmore Spacecraft Thermal Control Handbook 2nd Ed., AZ Technology, Acktar, Socomore/Lord Aeroglaze, and peer-reviewed literature.
| coating category | coating name | alpha notes | alpha sol (dimensionless) | application | epsilon ir (dimensionless) | epsilon notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| anodized | Alodine + White Paint Over-coating | Common combination: alodine primer + white topcoat on aluminum | 0.16 | Spacecraft structural panels where weight-efficient thermal control needed | 0.9 | High emittance from white topcoat paint |
| anodized | Anodized Aluminum (clear/hard anodize) | Hard anodize Type III; low solar absorptance; good corrosion protection | 0.15 | Structural components requiring thermal emittance and corrosion resistance; battery boxes | 0.82 | High IR emittance from Al2O3 anodic film |
| anodized | Black Anodized Aluminum | Black dye in anodic film; very high solar absorptance | 0.97 | Solar absorbing surfaces; thermal reference; test fixtures; instrument baffles | 0.88 | High emittance from thick dyed oxide |
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