The Effects of Common Inorganic Fillers on the Conductivity of Spacecraft Polymers

Abstract

The likelihood of electrostatic discharge due to the accumulation of charge from the space environment depends strongly on the conductivity of spacecraft dielectrics. Spacecraft polymers are often filled with inorganic substances including glass fibers, glass beads, and thickening powders in order to modify their mechanical properties. This study examines the impact of these fillers on the conductivity of a few common spacecraft polymers. We show that the impact of inorganic fillers varies greatly from one usage case to another.