R. Uma Rani

Thermal studies on electrodeposited black oxide coating on magnesium alloys

Thermal behavior of black anodic coatings on magnesium alloy, AZ31B and magnesium lithium alloy, MLA 9 has been investigated. The chemical nature of coating is characterized by infrared spectral studies. The thermoanalytical investigations have been carried out using thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The decomposition proceeds through three steps viz., dehydration, decomposition of chromium hydroxide and sulphate and decomposition of magnesium chromate to oxide. Measurement of hemispherical emittance of coatings verses temperature was investigated using calorimetric methods. The studies revealed that the thermal emittance of coatings increases with temperature.

Studies on white anodizing on aluminum alloy for space applications

A process of white anodizing in an electrolyte system consisting of sulfuric acid, lactic acid, glycerol and sodium molybdate was studied for space applications. The influence of anodic film thickness and various operating parameters, viz., electrolyte formulation, operating temperature, applied current density, on the optical properties of the coating has been investigated to optimize the process. The coatings were characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopic analysis, thickness and microhardness evaluation. The space worthiness of the coating has been evaluated by humidity, thermal cycling, thermo-vacuum performance tests and measurement of optical properties. The anodic film developed herein provides solar absorptance value as low as 0.16, and infrared (IR) emittance of the order of 0.80. These results indicate that the process developed is suitable for thermal control applications in space environment.

Galvanic black anodizing on Mg-Li alloys

A process of galvanic black anodizing on Mg-Li alloys was studied. The influence of various operating parameters, namely galvanic current density, voltage, pH, electrolyte concentration, operating temperature, anodizing time and heat treatment on the anodic film formation have been investigated to optimize the process. The deposits were characterized by optical and scanning electron microscopy, adhesion tests, corrosion studies, thickness measurement and microhardness evaluation. The space worthiness of the coatings has been evaluated by humidity, thermal cycling and thermovacuum tests and measurement of optical properties. The results of all these studies are clearly indicative that the black anodizing process described herein is extremely suitable for ground, as well as space, applications.

Flat Absorber Phosphorous Black Nickel Coatings for Space Applications

A new process of flat absorber black nickel alloy coating was developed on stainless steel by electrodeposition from a bath containing nickel, zinc and ammonium sulphates; thiocyanate and sodium hypophosphite for space applications. Coating process was optimized by investigating the effects of plating parameters, viz concentration of bath constituents, current density, temperature, pH and plating time on the optical properties of the black deposits. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy showed the inclusion of about 6% phosphorous in the coating. The scanning electron microscopy studies revealed the amorphous nature of the coating. The corrosion resistance of the coatings was evaluated by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and linear polarization (LP) techniques. The results revealed that, phosphorous addition confers better corrosion resistance in comparison to conventional black nickel coatings. The black nickel coating obtained from hypophosphite bath provides high solar absorptance (αs) and infrared emittance (ɛIR) of the order of 0.93. Environmental stability to space applications was established by the humidity and thermal cycling tests.

Optical and Structural Properties of Nanostructured Oxide Thin Films by Sol‐Gel Technique

TiO2 and Al2O3 are commonly used materials in optical thin films in the visible and near‐infrared wavelength region due to their high transparency and good stability. In this work, TiO2 and Al2O3 single, and nano composite thin films with different compositions were deposited on glass and silicon substrates at room temperature using a sol‐gel spin coater. The optical properties like reflectance, transmittance and refractive index have been studied using Spectrophotometer, and structural properties using X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).