Spacecraft Thermal Coatings: bare_metal
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bare_metal | Alodine (Chemical Film) Aluminum | Chromate conversion coating on aluminum; slight increase in alpha vs bare | 0.14 | Structural surface treatment for electrical conductivity; chromate passivation | 0.04 | Slightly higher emissivity than bare aluminum |
| bare_metal | Electropolished Stainless Steel 304 | Electropolished finish; somewhat higher solar absorptance than aluminum | 0.18 | Precision optical components; pressure vessels; feed lines; propellant tanks | 0.1 | Low emissivity metallic surface |
| bare_metal | Polished Aluminum (6061 or 2024) | Polished bare aluminum; BOL solar absorptance; degrades rapidly in LEO UV | 0.09 | Structural panels before coating; thermal washers; conductive joints | 0.03 | Very low emissivity; metallic gray surface |
This is a sample. Search the full spacecraft thermal coatings dataset and 300+ more by creating a free account and accessing the database.
Get started for FREE