Advanced Materials Portfolio

Cyanate Ester Elastomer

High-Performance Elastomers for Low Earth Orbit and Space Deployment

Outer space is tough on polymers. The tortuous combination of vacuum, unchecked ultraviolet and solar radiation, atomic oxygen, and temperature fluctuations spanning hundreds of degrees results in an environment in which few organic polymers can survive.

CRG is currently developing a cyanate ester-based elastomeric resin system ideally suited for deployment in this harsh environment with these exceptional properties:

   • Elastomeric properties from -100°C to 250°C
      (-148°F to 482°F)
   • Recovery from elongation in excess of 100%
   • Low outgassing
   • High thermal stability
   • Low dielectric constant/loss
   • Atomic oxygen self-passivity
   • UV stability

These properties in a single resin system result in a material that will serve as an integral building block for the development of a wide range of space-based applications.

Design and development activity is currently being funded by NASA Glenn Research Center under a Phase I SBIR project entitled “Space-Qualifiable Cyanate Ester Elastomer.” During Phase II, CRG will continue to optimize and demonstrate the technology for various mission opportunities.

Some Applications:

   • Exoatmospheric seals
   • Elastomeric damping adhesives
   • Actuators
   • Ballutes
   • Flexible thermal management coatings
   • Self-deploying structures
   • Cryogenic and high-temperature seals and gaskets
   • Medical instruments
   • Future aircraft systems