Investigating Amorphous Metal Composite Architectures as Spacecraft Shielding

Abstract

The threat of micro‐meteoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) collisions with spacecraft and satellites has been increasing with the increasing worldwide use of low earth orbit. Providing low‐areal‐density shielding for the mitigation of these high velocity impacts is essential for ensuring successful and cost effective missions. Here, we report results obtained from hypervelocity impact testing on bulk metallic glass (BMG) matrix composites. Their carbide‐like hardness, low melting temperatures, ultra‐high strength‐to‐weight ratio and the ability to be processed like polymers are material attributes ideally suited for spacecraft shielding, particularly as an outer wall bumper shield.

Hypervelocity Impact Testing of a Metallic Glass‐Stuffed Whipple Shield

“…The four hypervelocity studies to date on metallic glasses as potential spacecraft shielding have provided important data about which features of these novel materials are suitable for spacecraft implementation. As predicted by ballistic limit equations (see Ref …”

“…To date, there have been three hypervelocity investigations into the performance of metallic glasses as spacecraft shields, including two by the current authors and one by Huang et al In Davidson et al ., cellular structures fabricated from corrugated, welded panels of bulk metallic glass composites were tested and compared with single layers of the same materials using hypervelocity impacts of Al projectiles at 2.3 km · s −1 , see Figure (a,b) . This study illustrated that the debris cloud created by the bumper shield could be significantly diffused by corrugating the bumper shield's surface compared to a single‐wall shield and that cellular structures created by welding the corrugated panels together could prevent penetration of the projectile with only three layers.…”

“…used a 10 cm standoff while the actual ISS shield has a 2.86 cm total standoff). Figure shows images from two of the BMG Whipple shields used in previous studies, Figure (a,b) from Ref . and Figure (c,d) from Ref …”

Electrochemical and Friction Characteristics of Metallic Glass Composites at the Microstructural Length-scales

“…The crystalline dendrites impart ductility and toughness by arresting unlimited extension of shear bands in the amorphous matrix 13 . Potential applications for MGCs include high-performance sporting goods, bio-implants, spacecraft gears, and many other military and industrial goods which demand high hardness, good corrosion resistance, large elastic strain and thermoplastic processing ability for complex geometries 14 . Monolithic metallic glasses, with fully amorphous structure, typically show good corrosion resistance because they do not have grains and grain boundaries, which act as pit nucleation sites in crystalline materials.…”

Production and Characterization of Zr Based Bulk Metallic Glass Matrix Composites (BMGMC) in the Form of Wedge Shape Ingots

“…whipple shield of space shuttle [1], spacecraft shielding [2] and whipple shield of International Space Station (ISS) [1]- [7]). They are potential candidates for parts of high speed moving aero structures which may come in contact with high speed projectiles (such as meteors, space debris and reentry targets) and wear resistant surfaces both involving static (sliding surfaces [8] [9] [10] [11]) and dynamic (gears [12] [13]) load applications.…”