Title: Composites materials for sustainable space industry: a review of recent developments

Authors: M. Mubarak Ali; N. Nived

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, Kerala, India

Abstract: Composite materials have extraordinary properties such as high specific stiffness, high specific strength and other unique properties, which are indispensable in many industries such as automotive and space application. Space application demands materials which possess lightweightness, good strength and ability to resist in harsh environments. Composites materials provide higher strength to weight ratio along with multifunctionality properties which are indispensable for sustainable space industries. This review paper will first explain the need of composites in space industry and then critically review various types of advanced composites used in space. Polymer matrix composites applications in space industry and effect of space environments in properties of polymer matrix composites have been reviewed. Applications of ceramic matrix composites and the challenges in usage of ceramic composites in space have also been presented. Application of metal matrix composites in designing of truss and antenna of satellites has been elucidated.

Keywords: ceramic matrix composites; metal matrix composites; polymer matrix composites; satellites; sustainable space materials.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2021.114680

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2021 Vol.17 No.2/3, pp.172 - 196

Received: 14 Sep 2019
Accepted: 06 Apr 2020
Published online: 30 Apr 2021 *

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