On the surface of Mars, the temperature difference between day and night can reach 100°C, and the environment is filled with intense ultraviolet radiation and cosmic rays. For a Mars rover powered by solar energy and batteries, the sealing and lubrication of every mechanical joint are crucial. Recently, the China Academy of Aerospace Materials revealed that China has successfully developed a type of "radiation-resistant, wide-temperature-range fluorosilicone rubber" and applied it to the joint seals of the robotic arm of a new-generation Mars rover, solving the problem of material hardening and embrittlement in extreme environments. Traditional sealing materials harden during the cold Martian night (below -100°C), increasing the resistance to robotic arm rotation and even causing jamming; under strong radiation during the day, the material degrades and loses its elasticity. Through molecular design, the research team introduced bulky phenyl groups and special side-chain fluoroalkyl groups into the backbone of the fluorosilicone rubber. The introduction of phenyl groups disrupts the regularity of the molecular chain, lowering its glass transition temperature to -110°C, ensuring the material's flexibility in extremely cold environments; while the fluoroalkyl groups act like a "protective shield," effectively resisting bombardment by high-energy particles. Experimental data shows that after being exposed to simulated radiation equivalent to 5 years on the Martian surface, the material's tensile strength and elongation at break remain at more than 85% of their initial values. In addition, the material has extremely low volatile content, avoiding the risk of volatiles condensing on the Mars rover's precision optical lenses in a vacuum environment. This material breakthrough not only provides key support for China's future lunar research station and Mars sample return missions but also marks that China has joined the ranks of the world's leaders in the field of special aerospace rubber.
IOTA FLSR3040 Fluorosilicone potting adhesive