Several years ago, researchers from QSS Group Inc. and the Ohio Aerospace Institute were interested in finding a commercially available adhesive that bonds titanium pipes to carbon-carbon composite (CCC) sheets. The reason: Doing so would lower the cost of assembling spacecraft heat-rejection systems made of these joined materials.
At the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the researchers carefully reviewed the specifications of more than 50 different high-temperature epoxy, silicone or (inorganic) ceramic adhesives. They then selected 18 for testing, hoping to find at least one adhesive that offers good thermal conductivity, excellent mechanical performance and long-term durability.