Manufacture of large-scale lightweight SiC mirror for space

Zhengren Huang; Guiling Liu; Xuejian Liu; Zhongming Chen; Dongliang Jiang

doi:10.1117/12.917585

15 November 2011 Manufacture of large-scale lightweight SiC mirror for space

Zhengren Huang, Guiling Liu, Xuejian Liu, Zhongming Chen, Dongliang Jiang

Proceedings Volume 8335, 2012 International Workshop on Image Processing and Optical Engineering; 83351R (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.917585
Event: 2012 International Workshop on Image Processing and Optical Engineering, 2012, Harbin, China

Abstract

Large-scale lightweight silicon carbide (SiC) mirrors were manufactured for space. Sintered SiC (SSiC) ceramic was adopted as the material to manufacture these mirrors. Complex structure designed for highly weight reduction and installation requirements was near-net-shape formed on SiC green body by digital machining technique before the high temperature sintering process. The dimensional accuracy of thin ribs and faceplate can be precisely controlled above 99.5%. During sintering process, the temperature distribution was kept uniform enough to avoid residual stress and deformation in the whole furnace. Isotropic shrinkage occurs during densification from SiC green body to ceramic with a fluctuation less than 0.3%, which is the dimension error of the final size as well. Mirror surface with low surface roughness, high shape accuracy and reflectivity was finished by polishing and plating. Moreover, large-scale lightweight SSiC mirror was demonstrated to be suitable for space use by tests simulating launch conditions and space environments.

Citation Download Citation

Zhengren Huang, Guiling Liu, Xuejian Liu, Zhongming Chen, and Dongliang Jiang "Manufacture of large-scale lightweight SiC mirror for space", Proc. SPIE 8335, 2012 International Workshop on Image Processing and Optical Engineering, 83351R (15 November 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.917585

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available