Formulations and general procedures are given for making and applying space environmentally, as well as atmospherically stable black silicate paints. Compositions are given which meet spacecraft self-contamination requirements, have excellent heat resistance, and are strongly semiconductive

Schutt, J. B.

Shai, C. M.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

USA r~lm 70s' 06 
BLACK SILICATE PAINTS: FORMULATION 
AND PERFORMANCE DATA ON OSO-H 
JOHN B. SCHUT'T 
CHARMS M. SHAl 
i (NASA-TH-X-70506) E Z C K  S I L I C A 2 2  PAiNTS: h74- 10545 2 P O F U U L b T I C Y  A N C  E E S F O R E A h C E  CATh C'u' CSC-H 
. (N4SA) 11) c HC J3,CO C S L L  11c 
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- GODDARD SPACE FLI6HT CUTER 
' 6EENlllmt, YARYUMB 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19740002432 2020-03-23T14:11:56+00:00Z
X-764-73-313 
BLACK SILICATE PAINTS: FORMULATION 
AND PERFORMAXCE DATA ON 0SO-H 
John B. Schutt 
Charles M. Shai 
October 1973 
Goddard Space Flight Center 
Greenbelt, Maryland 

BLACK SILICATE PAINTS: FORMULATION 
ANT? PEKFORMANCE DATA ON OSO-H 
John B. Schutt 
Charles M.Shai 
ABSTRACT 
This report gives fwrnulations a 3  general procedures for making and 
applying space environmentally, as wleli as atmospbridly stable Mack silicate 
paints. Compositions are given which meet spacecraft self-contamination re- 
qui-ements, have excellent heat resistance, and are strongly semimnductive. 
CONTENTS 
Cbemistry and Processing Technology for Black Alkali-Metal 
1 S i l i c a t e F a i n t S . . . . . . . . . . .  ........................... 
Environmentallility.. 3 ................................ 
5 outgassing Charactieristics ............................... 
Table I. Coating Formulations.. ........................... 4 
5 Table II. Summary of OSO-H Thermd Coating Data on Formula I ..... 
Acknowledgment 5 ...................................... 
6 Appendix I. Generai Procedure ............................ 
iv 
BLACK SILICATE PAINTS: FORMULATION 
Ah- PERFORMANCE DATA ON OSO-H 
CHEMISTRY AND PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY FOR 
BLACi. ALMLT-liETAL SILICATE P24IN’IS 
Black paint functions, thermodynamically speaking, (1) to provide deep space 
simulation in the finite coniines of tk laboratory, and (2) to provide a satellite 
thermal control surface capable of offering a thermal response time during 
solar heating intermediak betveen a white paint and B metallic surface, and a 
thermal response during cooling in the absence of solar illumination most 
like that of a white paint. Those black paints receiving by f a r  tbe most 
widespread applications are based on the reactivity of the epoxide, isocyanate 
and carboxyl groups; these functionzl groups give epoxy, urethane and, for 
example, polyster, polyimide, polyamide coatings respectively. Less well 
known are inorganic black paints. Tbe reasons for this are many fold. First, 
tbey have only recently been developed, that is, Cturing the latter half of the 
sixties; second, they do not possess tbe flexibility of their organic competitors; 
third, tbey a r e  more difficult to apply because special precautions must be taken 
in substrate preparation. 
Tbe difficulty in developing an inorganic alkali-metal black silicate resides 
in the ability of tbe alkali-metal silicak binder itself to change its chemical 
composition by spiwidal decomys,ition, and chemical decomposition upon ex- 
posure to carbon dioxide and changes in relative humidity. Spinoidal changes 
occur because most silicate solutivns are metastable and can as a result develop 
separate chemical phases, eventual y arriving at a state of minimum Helmholtz 
free energy. The duration of the phase separation process may extend over a 
period of many months, and consequently appears to be diffusion controlled. 
Chemical reactions occur because silicates can have pH’s up to about 13. 
At high pH levels, reactions with carbon dioxide become possible yielding bi- 
carbonates, carbonates, and silica a s  reaction products. Because the products 
of these processes are colorless and provide scattering surfaces for light, 
when formed on the surface of the coating, a black paint can acquire a frosty 
appearance. From a cosmetic viewpoint, this effect is undesirable. On the 
other hand, optical measurements have demonstrated that the magnitude of the 
solar absorptance is not significantly effected by t!x? presence of crystallites 
on tbe surface of the paint. 
1 
The use of .sodium silicate as a binder for graphite to make a conductive 
coating, a s  well as to increase the photoelectric threshold of a substrate material, 
is prevalent in tbe television tube manufacturing industry. For this reason, this 
type of paint has found use in measuring eleckic fields in space because it 
perturbs local fields to a lesser degree than l o m r  threshold materials. 
Application of a commercially available formulation of this paint to 
aluminum spheres flown on SSS for electric field measurements has caused 
concern because frosting occurred readily under atmospheric conditions. In 
cooperation with tbe SSS experimenter,* tests have been performed to study the 
effect of selected ambients on this coating. Samples of the coating applied to 
aluminum were placed in desiccators containing nitrogen, carbon dioxide, 
carbon-dioxide saturated with watervapor, air at 75 and 60 percent relativity 
humidity . 
The sample placed in nitrogen cured satisfactorily. In carbon dioxide, the 
sample disintegrated completely; so friable was tk sample, that optical 
measurements were not possible. Considering tk sodium silicate in this paint 
to have ii commercially available sflica to sodium oxide mole ratio of 2, the 
disintegration can be explained by reactkg th excess baae, 
and reacting the remaining sodium salts of silicic acid according to tk scheme, 
(' - x, Na20 * 2 SiO, t y C0,- 
2 
( (1 - x) - y - Z/2) N a , O  - 2(1 - y - z) SiO, t y1Na2C03 
t 2y,NaHC03 t 22 Na, Si,O, t 2y S iO, ,  
where y = y + 2y,. Clearly, i f  enough SiO, is formed, loss of coating integrity 
is inevitable; formation is assisted by the inertness of graphite under these 
conditions, and by thle absence of cationic species other than sodium capable of 
interrupting the formation of the pyro- and kctosilicate phases. 
*Dr. Nelson Mgynard of the Fields and Particles Bronch 
2 
During tbe tests in the desiccator containing carbon dioxide and saturated 
water vapor, the coating frosted, but at the same time maintained its integrity. 
Under these c i rcumsbces  sodium carbonate would not be expected to form as 
a separate phase, but rather as a sesqui-carbonate, or mixed salt with the bi- 
carbonate and water. At lk same time, the silica would remain hydrated and 
could not as a result collapse into the pyro o r  tecto forms to promote the 
development of excessive tension in the film. 
Tbe undesirable effects of variable atmospheric composition can be epmi- 
nated wbile mahhbbg conductive silicate coating,k: d < lo3  ohm-meters. 
Efforts were taken initially in this direction not only because the problem is an 
eresting om, but more importantly because silicate coatings outgas only 
water and are nonpollutive, nontoxic, and nonflammable. The key to solving the 
problems resided in recognizing first, that silic!.: acid would be the most effec- 
tive buffering agent and second, that multivalent cations such as calcium d d  
have to be added to inhibit spinoidd decompositions in a freshly prepared 
formulation. The -ral wollastonite was found to be a satisfactory source 
of calcium ions, while at the same time being capable of nucleating tbe precipi- 
tation ofhydrated silica, and bulking the formulation effectively because of its 
fibrous morphology. Below are given three compositiom for processing black 
silicate paints. In each case the ingredients are listed in Table I in tbe order 
added. 
ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY 
A sample of each formulation was irradiated for 1000 boars at nim Hg 
using an Hanovia 670A high pressure mercury lamp at a flux of one solar 
constant (two uv solar constants). Measurements were carried out on a 
Beckman DK-2A spectroreflectometer employing an in-house barium sulfate 
integrating sphere coating. In both cases, the final reflectance curves had 
shifted in tbe ultraviolet by an amount judged within the accuracy of the measur- 
ing capability of the instrument, and henceforth ultraviolet stable. 
Flight data consists of calculations from thermal measurements tc establish 
fluctuations in the ratio of solar msorptance to emittance (a/€). Measurements 
were obtained from the OSChH thermal coatings monitor experiment. Because 
the data are uninteresting, a listing is concluded below for but a few orbits to 
give some feeling for fluctuations in ( a / € ) ,  and their relationship to the preflight 
laboratory value. 
3 
. -1 
c- 
i 
4 
Table 11. Summary of OSO-H Thermal Coatings 
Data on Formula I 
Orbit Number 
0 
20 
1119 
1935 
2449 
2109 
4195 
4955 
1.14 
1.36 
1.40 
1.40 
1.37 
1.35 
1.32 
1.32 
Remarks 
Laboratory measurement 
First Data Point 
Fluctuation ceased. 
OUTGASSING TESTS* 
Results of the outgassing tests are given in the table below. 
Paint Weight Loss % VCM % 
For mulation I 3.14 0.02 
Formulation II 3.50 0.02 
Project acceptable levels are 1 percent or less for might loss and 0.1% or  less 
for VCM (volatile combustible materials) at 25°C. Judged from these criteria, 
the VCM is more than acceptable. However, the total weight loss exceeds by 
substantially more than 200% the allowed amounts. Although high by project 
standards, the loss is low by silicate standards and as a result demonstrates 
why these coatings are stable in a carbon dioxide atmosphere. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENT 
Tbe authors would like to express their appreciation to J. J. Triolo for 
making the OSO-H flight data available during the preparation of this report. 
The initiative and cooperation of Benjamin Seidenberg and Jules Hirschfield in 
supervising and ediiing the General Procedure in an attempt to make the tech- 
nology more generally accessible is gratefully acknowledged. 
*The results in this section have been taken from a memorandum sent by Lawrence Kobren, 
Materials Engineering Branch to John Thole, Manager OS0 Project, June 19, 1970. 
5 
APPENDIX I. 
GENERAL PROCEDURE 
PREPARATION AND PROCEDURES FOR GSFC MSA 87B (Clear Vehicle), 
I. 
11. 
III. 
Iv. 
MSA94B (Black Paint), MS148 and CC1 PRIMERS 
MSA87B Vehicle Formulation 
Ingredient Parts by Weight 
(A) Potassium Silicate (PS-7) 300 
(B) Silicic Acid (H,SiO,) 51 
( ( 3 )  2-6070 S i l ~  24 
(D) Wate r  - distilled or deionized wben- 
ever water is shown 240 
Equipment and Raw Material %ufces 
(A) War@ or Oster blender, home kitchen model 
(B) Balanw 
(C) Potassium silicate PS-7, Sylvania Electric Products, Inc. Towanda, PA 
(D) Silicic Acid, P,SiO,, Fisher Scientific 
(E) Dow Corning 26070 Silane 
(F) Distilled Water 
Blending Procedure 
(A) Place PS-7 in blender 
(B) While blending, add mixture of silicic acid and 200 parts water 
(C) Blend at high speed until solution is clear 
(D) Let cool to room temperature. Blend at high speed and slowly add 
26070. Add balance of water, blend until clear. 
MSA94B Paint Formulation 
Ingredient 
(A) MSA87B 
(B) Wollastonite 
(C) Mica 
(D) Asbestos 
(E) Carbon black, Molacco 
Parts by Weight* 
200 
90 
0.44 
10 
8 
6 
Ingredients Parts by Weight 
(F) Carbon black, Raven 7 
(G) Carbon black, Excelsior** 
(I) Water  
(H) Talc 
8 
4 
22 
50 
*If nreasured in grama, approximately 1/2 quart of vehicle or o m  quart of 
blended paint wi l l  result. 
**No longer available - supplier recommends Channel Mack 999 as a substitute. 
V. Eauipment and Raw Materials Source 
(A) Waring blender 
(B) 
(C) Wollastonite - Interpace Corp., NY. 
(D) Mica- The English Mica Co., Kings Mountain, NC. 
(E) Asbestos - Fisher Scientific 
(F) Carbon blacks - Columbian Carbon Co., 380 Madison Am., NY, New 
York, or Cities Service, Market Street, Akron, Ohio 
(G) Talc - International Talc, Gouverneur, NY. 
VI. Blending Procedure 
(A) Place MSA87B in blender 
(B) While blending, add 1/2 of Wollastonite, blend until dispersed. 
(C)  Add Mica and disperse 
(D) Add balance of Wollastonite and disperse 
(E) Add asbestos, disperse 
(F) Add all carbon blacks, disperse 
(G) Add talc, disperse 
(H) Add water as needed. Varies from batch to batch, depending on 
humidity, temperature and blender speed. Wben paint has a smooth 
consistency, store in clean, poly bottles. Do Not Freeze! 
VU. Preparationof GSFC CCI Primer 
Ingredientr! Parts by Weight 
(A) Lithium Hydroxide, UOH, Fisher 
(B) Silicic Acid 
(C) Water 
44.1 
216 .O 
450 .O 
7 
Ingredients Parts by Weight 
(D! 31-Li33 - Prepare, utilizing A, B & C 
by; placing water in blender, adding 
LiOH while blending till solution is 
clear, add silicic acid while blending 
till solution is clear. 
(E) 31-Li33 
(F) Potassium Silicate, PS-7 
(G) Water  
(H) Prepare CCI primer by placing 1/2 of 
water in blender, adding 31-L133 while 
blending, place remaining water in clean 
beaker and add FS-7 while stirring 
Manually, add PS-'l/mter solution to 
31-L133/water solution while blending, 
blend for five minutes and store in clean 
poly bottle. 
VnI. Preparation of GSFC MS148 Primer 
Ingredients 
(A) Z i x  Oxide, ZnO, SP500 Calcined 
(B) Star Sodium Silicate, Na,SiO, - 
Philadelphia Quartz 
(C) W a t e r  
(D) Prepare MS148 primer by placing ZnO, 
Na2 SiO, and water in Waring blender. 
Blend until consistency is smooth. 
Store in clean poly bottles. 
IX. Application Procedures 
100 
88 
4 32 
Parts by Weight 
100 
33.3 
50 .O 
(A) Painted Surfaces 
(1) Abrade surface with 180 grit paper till surface is dull. If evi- 
dence of contamination is noted, abrade till metal surface is 
exposed. 
(2) Wipe clean with damp cloth. 
(3) Wipe on MS148 primer. Apply as you would polish. Avoid 
buildups. Wipe all lmse fragments off and allow to dry a few 
minutes. 
a 
(4) Apply MSA94B by laying down 2 uniform wet coats. Use M&l 
#18 Sinks pressure pot gun. Avoid dry spray. 
(5) Air  supply: Dry nitrogen preferred, o r  filtered compressed air. 
(B) Aluminum md Mild Steel (Preferred Method) 
All suriace treated (anodized, alodined, irridited) material to 
be avoided. 
Abrade surface via sand blasting.* 
Clean with isopropyl alcohol and dry. 
Immerse substrate for 3 minutec in acid bath. Bath to consist 
of 98% distilled water by weight, 11% nitric acid by weight and 
1% hydrofluoric acid by weight. If size rules out immersion, 
then applicators can be used. 
Rinse with distilled water and wipe dry. 
Check surface with water using water break method. 
Apply paint as soon as step 5 results are satisfactory. 
Alternate method: Omit step 4 when not practical, bowever, use 
primer afkr step 5. 
When sand blasting is not practical, Y3cotch Brite'' or silicon carbide paper can 
be employed. 
(C) Stainless Steel 
(1) Sand D l a a t  (preferred) or abrade usi,?g 80 grist silicon carbide 
Paper. 
(2) Rinse with water and dry. 
(3) Rinse off and check for Water break." 
(D) Copper (No alternate method may be used) 
(1) Abrade with 180 grit silicon carbide paper or sand b h t .  
(2) Remove grit with water wash. 
(3) Etch surface with 5-7% glacial acetic acid solution or 5-7% 
citric acid solution. Three minute etch is recommended. 
(4) Rinse with water and dry. 
(5) Check for cleanliness, via 9vater break" teat and apply paint 
immediately if clean. 
(6) Repeat acid etch if required. 
9 
(E) Epoxy Fiberglass 
(1) Abrade with 180 grit silicon carbide paper until a rough surface 
rich in fiberglass is exposed. 
(2) Clean debris off with water. 
(3) Bake out at 50-60°C long enough to drive off most of the water. 
(4) Wipe down using CCI. 
(5) Flash off water at 100°C for apprcrimately 15 minutes. 
(6)  Spray on paint immediately after substrate has reached room 
temperature, otherwise primer becomes hydrophobic. 
X. Cleaningand Handling 
These painted surfaces, as well as any painted surface, should never be 
handled by bare hands. Abrade any dirty surface that should appear. If 
much paint has to be removed to accomplish this, then touch up must 
follow after the debris has been removed. 
XI. Touch Up 
(A) Abrade with 180 grit silicon carbide paper to bare suface. 
(B) Clean with toluene. 
IC) Rinse with water and dry. 
(D) Dampen with water areas adjacent tc abraded area. 
(E) Touch up as required. 
XII. Protection 
Polyethylene bagging or  wrapping may take place aEter one week air dry 
at room temperature or a one hour bake at 120°C. However, since poly- 
ethylene films may hav2 organic processing agents, it is recommended 
that routine cleansing usbg  ethyl or isopropyl alcohol be employed. Dry 
thoroughly before using. 
XIII. Shelf Life 
Paint shelf life is believed to be infinite. Paints with a shelf l i e  of 
three years have been sprayed successfully onto various substrates. 
10 


Black silicate paints: Formulation and performance data on OSO-H

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