Arc Texturing Facility

NASA Glenn Research Center
Space Environment and Experiments Branch

Arc Texturing Facility

Produces arc-textured modification of material surfaces to increase thermal emittance.
Arc texturing process performed by creating electric arc between consumable electrode and sample.
Sample material's surface roughened by electric arc while simultaneously depositing electrode material on sample surface.
Process occurs in inert gaseous atmosphere inside glove box.
Power supply connected to electrode and sample mount with arc between electrode and sample completing electric circuit.
Electrode mounted in water cooled, hand-held holder.

Glove box purged with nitrogen gas.
Argon flows over sample to reduce oxidation during arc texturing process.
Process performed with direct current power supply or variable high frequency (20- to 10,000 Hz) alternating current supply.
Typical processing currents range from 10 to 20 Amps.
Carbon-carbon or Silicon Carbide electrodes typically used.
Vacuum mount used for securing sample in place for texturing.

Durable high-emittance surfaces for high-temperature space radiators and high-solar-absorptance heat receiver surfaces for solar dynamic power systems.
High-emittance surfaces for aircraft airfoil and medical diagnostic equipment.

High-emittance and high-absorptance surfaces on materials for industrial and medical applications.