Experimental investigations of improving AO-resistant characteristics of glass fiber/epoxy resin composite filled with superfine cenospheres

A technology was adopted to improve AO (atomic oxygen)-resistant characteristics of spacecraft composites. The superfine cenospheres, which are stable in AO environment, were filled in the epoxy matrix in order to produce the AO-resistant glass fiber/epoxy resin composite. Cenospheres/glass fiber/epoxy resin composites were prepared and the AO exposure test was conducted in ground-based AO effects simulation facility. It was found that the filling of cenospheres effectually protects the glass fiber/epoxy resin against AO erosion. After the AO exposure test of 60 h, the erosion yield of the composite with cenosphere fillers can decrease to 11% of the composite without cenosphere fillers.