Spacecraft Thermal Coatings: black_paint
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| black_paint | Acktar Fractal Black (Vacuum Deposited) | Vacuum-deposited proprietary black coating; extremely low reflectance (<0.5% specular); flight qualified | 0.98 | Optical baffles; stray light suppression; calibration targets; precision instruments | 0.91 | High emittance at IR wavelengths; stray-light suppression coating |
| black_paint | Aeroglaze Z302 Black | Flat black polyurethane; slightly lower alpha than Z306 | 0.962 | Optical instrument baffles; solar absorbing surfaces | 0.83 | Lower emittance than Z306; less common for radiators |
| black_paint | Aeroglaze Z306 (Chemglaze Z306) | High solar absorptance flat black polyurethane; low outgassing per ASTM E595 | 0.971 | Star trackers; optical baffles; light traps; absorber surfaces; thermal radiator coatings | 0.912 | Standard black emittance for polyurethane |
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