Spacecraft Thermal Coatings: silver_teflon
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| silver_teflon | Silver-Teflon Tape (Ag/FEP 2-mil) | Silver coating on 2-mil FEP film; BOL solar absorptance; most common silver-Teflon form | 0.08 | Spacecraft radiator tape; thermal blanket outer layer; louver blade surfaces | 0.82 | FEP emissivity near 0.82-0.85; very stable |
| silver_teflon | Silver-Teflon Tape (Ag/FEP 5-mil) | 5-mil FEP backing; more robust but heavier than 2-mil | 0.08 | Radiator panels requiring mechanical durability; ground handling | 0.83 | Similar emittance to 2-mil variant |
| silver_teflon | Vapor-Deposited Silver on FEP (OSR-tape) | Thin vacuum-deposited silver film; lowest commercially achieved alpha for flexible material | 0.07 | Ultra-high-performance radiator tape; GEO communications satellites requiring maximum heat rejection efficiency | 0.82 | FEP substrate controls emittance |
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