Measurement of the gas permeation through the composite materials

Abstract

It is important to manufacture hermetic structures based on composite materials for space industry. The composite materials are used in production of aircrafts, satellites, space shuttles, coating of thermal insulation of the space probes. Technology and equipment for measuring the helium permeability of the composite materials is described in this study. The apparatus for the helium flux measuring through material is based on a mass spectrometry leak detector. The test composite samples are made from polymers, coated with metals. A vacuum testing chamber was developed for the installation of the sample, its pre-drainage and creating a pressure gradient of helium relative to the outer and inner side of the test object.