Properties and Prospects for Application of Lithium Liquid Glass in Thermal Control Coatings of Spacecraft

A comparative study of the radiation resistance of the optical properties of binders for spacecraft thermostatic housings was carried out: widely sold liquid glass K₂SiO₃ and newly developed liquid glass Li₂SiO₃. At the analisis of diffuse reflection spectra (ρ_λ) in the wavelenght range 0.2–2.5 μm and the integral radiation absorption coefficient (а_s) both before and after electron radiation, an incomparably higher radiation resistance of Li₂SiO₃ liquid glass compared to K₂SiO₃ glass was established. The values of the change in the absorption coefficient ∆а_s of liquid glass Li₂SiO₃ comparing to one of K₂SiO₃ liquid glass are several times less: for electron radiation with an estimate of 30 keV at a fluence Ф = 2 × 10¹⁶ cm^–2 – 35 times; at Ф = 4 × 10¹⁶ cm^–2 – 25 times; at Ф = 6 × 10¹⁶ cm^–2 – 7 times. Analysis of of the factors that determine the radiation resistance of these glasses was made. The advantage in the radiation resistance of Li₂SiO₃ liquid glass is making it prospective for use as connecting compounds in thermal control coatings of spacecraft, in paints, ceramics and other areas of technology and industry with the presence of ionizing traces.