Inflatable Module Seal Interface Development and Testing

Develop a repeatable low permeable sealing interface evaluating O-ring, RTV bond and flowed RTV bond methods. Advanced Bladder materials (ArmorFlex, Nanoclay, etc) were developed by ILC Dover in FY2011 and will be evaluated and tested.  Cold flow and assembly process testing will be performed utilizing 6-in x 6-in and 6-in x 12-in test articles (Figure 1a and 1b).  Leak testing will be performed utilizing a 4-foot diameter test fixture. Bladder materials to be tested include:   ArmorFlex 101 (Polyurethane, gas barrier, polyurethane)  ArmorFlex 101 w/ Nylon rip-stop   NanoClay NanoClay w additional gas barrier layer Nanoclay w/ rip-stop  CEPAC HD-200 (Bigelow bladder preferred embodiment)Inflatable structures will require low permeable bladder to metallic seal interface.  Cold flow of bladder materials over time is not acceptable for long term missions where materials cannot be easily inspected or replaced.  Reliable seal interfaces are required.  Inflatable habitats can provide the volume necessary for space colonization at a lower cost than traditional habitats. Sealing bladder materials capable of deploying at cold temperatures is essential for deep space missions and likely LOE missions due to operational constraints

Data and Resources

Field Value
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identifier TECHPORT_12145
issued 2012-09-01
landingPage https://techport.nasa.gov/view/12145
modified 2020-01-29
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publisher Space Technology Mission Directorate
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Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • ckan
  • completed
  • geo
  • geoss
  • johnson-space-center
  • national
  • north-america
  • united-states
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license_id notspecified
license_title License not specified
maintainer TECHPORT SUPPORT
maintainer_email hq-techport@mail.nasa.gov
metadata_created 2025-11-22T22:53:09.415011
metadata_modified 2025-11-22T22:53:09.415015
notes <p>Develop a repeatable low permeable sealing interface evaluating O-ring, RTV bond and flowed RTV bond methods. Advanced Bladder materials (ArmorFlex, Nanoclay, etc) were developed by ILC Dover in FY2011 and will be evaluated and tested.  Cold flow and assembly process testing will be performed utilizing 6-in x 6-in and 6-in x 12-in test articles (Figure 1a and 1b).  Leak testing will be performed utilizing a 4-foot diameter test fixture. Bladder materials to be tested include:   ArmorFlex 101 (Polyurethane, gas barrier, polyurethane)  ArmorFlex 101 w/ Nylon rip-stop   NanoClay NanoClay w additional gas barrier layer Nanoclay w/ rip-stop  CEPAC HD-200 (Bigelow bladder preferred embodiment)<p/><p>Inflatable structures will require low permeable bladder to metallic seal interface.  Cold flow of bladder materials over time is not acceptable for long term missions where materials cannot be easily inspected or replaced.  Reliable seal interfaces are required.  Inflatable habitats can provide the volume necessary for space colonization at a lower cost than traditional habitats. Sealing bladder materials capable of deploying at cold temperatures is essential for deep space missions and likely LOE missions due to operational constraints</p>
num_resources 4
num_tags 10
title Inflatable Module Seal Interface Development and Testing