High-Performance Nanoadhesive Bonding of Space-Durable Polymer and Its Performance Under Space Environments

The present investigation highlights fabrication of polybenzimidazole by high-performance nanoadhesive and its performance under space environments. High-performance nanoadhesive is prepared by dispersing silicate nanopowder into ultra-high-temperature-resistant epoxy adhesive. The surface of polybenzimidazole is ultrasonically cleaned by acetone and then modified by low-pressure plasma before bonding. Electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis reveals that the polymer surface becomes hydrophilic, resulting in an increase in surface energy. Thermogravimetric analysis studies show that the cohesive properties of nanoadhesive are more stable when heated up to 350 degrees C. The adhesive joint strength of surface-modified polybenzimidazole increases considerably, and there is a further significant increase in joint strength when it is prepared by nanosilicate epoxy adhesive. When the nanoadhesive joint of polybenzimidazole is exposed to the safe-low-power critical-experiment nuclear reactor, there is a considerable increase in joint strength up to a dose of 444 kGy anti then a decrease. When the joints are exposed to cryogenic (-196 degrees C) and elevated temperatures (+300 degrees C) for 100 h and thermal-fatigue conditions, the joint could retain 95% of the joint strength. The failure mode of the surface-modified polymer is cohesive within the adhesive.