Method of Bonding Dissimilar Materials

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center has developed a new method for bonding dissimilar materials using an elastic adhesive to permit the bond to withstand variations in temperature and pressure. Specifically, NASA uses this method to provide a >98% specular finish on composite materials that is proven capable of withstanding ultraviolet solar radiation exposure in a vacuum and thermal cycling from –115 °C to +65 °C, as well as meeting outgassing requirement limits of 1%.