Microstructure Gradient-Z Composite for Additive Manufacture of Radiation Shielding

During space-flight system design, choice in electronic components/devices is an important choice when considering maximum failure tolerance from space radiation effects. A technology that can provide enhanced reliability of flight electronics by significantly reducing exposed radiation damage with minimum shield mass offers improved chances for mission success, and thus reducing system errors, saving program cost and resources. Powdermet proposes the development of a gradient-Z powder additive for plastics that can transform them into effective radiation shields. The elective ease of radiation hardening off-the-shelf electronics with an easily applied shielding encapsulate reduces cost and time to launch. The technical approach will be in the computational validation and experimental verification of a gradient-Z micropowder composite additive for granting radiation shielding to plastics. These will be compared to conventional gradient-Z metal lay-up designs. Additional, the program will demonstrate the additive manufacturing capacity of gradient-Z micropowder composites.