This
morning, following the final quality inspection of the last batch of
specialty sealing components, the "Full-Temperature-Range
Fluorosilicone-Phenyl Silicone Composite Sealing System," jointly
developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
(CASC) and leading domestic material laboratories, was officially
delivered to the "Tianwen-3" mission team. Dubbed the "Guardian of Space
Joints," this system will serve as a core critical component for the
Mars Sample Return probe scheduled for launch in the second half of the
year, ensuring reliable operation during its multi-year deep space
journey and in the extreme surface environment of Mars.
According
to the chief designer of the project, one of the greatest challenges
for the Mars mission is the massive temperature fluctuation (from below
-100°C at Martian night to over 20°C under sunlight) combined with
intense cosmic radiation. The delivered system innovatively adopts a
"dual-layer composite structure": the inner layer utilizes
high-phenyl-content silicone rubber to provide superior radiation
resistance and low-temperature performance, preventing material
embrittlement in deep cold; the outer layer is wrapped in specially
formulated addition-cure liquid fluorosilicone, building a rigorous
anti-corrosion barrier thanks to its extreme tolerance against potential
oxidizers in Martian dust and propellant fuels.
Test
data reveals that the sealing system successfully completed over 5,000
thermal cycles ranging from -120°C to 150°C in a vacuum chamber
simulating the Martian environment, maintaining a zero leakage rate
throughout. Furthermore, the system integrates intelligent sensing
capabilities to transmit real-time sealing status data, providing
decision support for the ground control center. Industry experts
evaluate that this achievement not only marks China's complete
self-reliance and controllability in key basic materials for deep space
exploration but also pushes the application limits of Chinese specialty
rubber to a new historical height, contributing a critical "Chinese
Solution" to humanity's exploration of the Red Planet.
IOTA FLSR3000 fluorosilicone sealant
