Material Compatibility Testing

Azusa Material Testing Laboratory
Angeles Crest Engineering Inc (ACEI) has an advanced material laboratory that is used for propellant compatibility evaluation and mechanical property testing. The compatibility of selected bladder and diaphragm elastomeric materials and metals to different propellants can be tested. Tests such as bubble point and contact angle measurements can also be performed to support the design and development of surface tension based propellant management devices (PMD).

Extensive compatibility testing to characterize the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) decomposition rate for the selected materials is being conducted by ACEI. H2O2 is now considered as a possible “clean propellant” alternative to propellants such as hydrazine, that have been traditionally used in spacecraft applications. Material compatibility testing is conducted by placing series of specimens at elevated temperatures and recording changes in mass and size of the samples, changes in quantity and concentration of the H2O2, tensile and fatigue properties of the materials, and measurement of the evolved gas. ACEI has developed a comprehensive database on concetrated H2O2 compatibility for metals and non-metallic materials. ACEI is designing a 90% H2O2 reaction control system bladder tank that will be used in a NASA experimental space flight vehicle.

“One test result is worth one thousand
expert opinions”- Wernher von Braun