ECSS-Q-ST-70-02 Thermal vacuum outgassing test for the screening of space materials - To qualify materials for their suitability for space applications, assessment of outgassing properties is required. “Outgassing” is defined as the mass loss of a sample due to vacuum conditioning at elevated temperature. At AAC a test rig is available to perform outgassing tests according to ESA-standard ECSS-Q-ST-70-02. During this test the outgassing behaviour is assessed by measuring the weight of the samples before and after thermal treatment. Furthermore, the mass gain of cooled collectors due to condensed matter is measured. By measuring the condensed mass it is possible to evaluate the possible contamination of sensible components (such as mirrors) by outgassed material.
An outgassing measurement is performed in the following steps:
- Pre-conditioning of samples: 24 hours at 22°C and 55%rH
- Weighing of samples, empty sample cups and collectors
- Thermal vacuum test: 24 hours at 125°C in vacuum (P < 10-5 mbar)
- Weighing of samples and collectors
- Post-conditioning of samples: 24 hours at 22°C and 55%rH
- Weighing of samples
The following parameters are determined as result of an outgassing test:
- TML (Total Mass Loss): Total mass loss relative to the initial sample mass
- RML (Recovered Mass Loss): Mass loss after water absorption during post-conditioning (relative to initial sample mass)
- CVCM (Collected Volatile Condensable Material): mass gain of collectors relative to initial sample mass.
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