
AMJ-700-IBU is an inorganic blue paint developed for use on spacecraft and satellites. A specialized pigment in a silicate binder, AMJ-700-IBU can be spray deposited with standard air spray painting equipment or high-volume low-pressure system to form a bendable inorganic nonspecular blue marker coating for use on emblems, logos, signs etc. on spacecraft / satellites. NASA has tested AMJ-700-IBU exposed to atomic oxygen (AO) fluence of 5.6 x 1022 atoms/cm2 and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) energy. It has also be tested for resistance to ultraviolet (UV) radiation for a duration of 566 equivalent solar hours. Less than 2% deterioration in solar absorptance (α_s) and less than 1% change in thermal emittance (ε_t). AMJ-700-IBU will be tested in the near future for flammability and toxicity requirements per NHB 8060.1C and being completely inorganic this coating is expected to pass these tests.
This spacecraft / satellite paint has been thoroughly tested in space, having been flown on the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE). AZ Technology used AMJ-700-IBU in coating all NASA logos (and ESA logos) currently on the International Space Station (view image at lower left).
View pre- and post-flight data for AMJ-700-IBU on MISSE (after 4 years in space) .
The table below lists the optical and application parameters of cured AMJ-700-IBU.
Nominal Surface Resistivity | N/A |
Thermal Emittance (ε_t) | 0.88 ± 0.02 |
Solar Absorptance (α_s) | ~0.76 at ≥ 3.0 mils thickness |
Use Temperature Range | -180 C to 900 C |
Appearance/Color | Nonspecular optical blue |
Nominal Dry Thickness | 3.0 ± 1.0 mils (over 85% of coated area) |
ASTM D3359A Adhesion Grade | Not less than 3A |
Full Cure | 7 Days |
Coating coverage estimates can be found here. |
Note: terms reflectance, emittance and absorptance and terms reflectivity, emissivity and absorptivity are often used interchangeably.
1On screen color may vary.