Modeling the Thermal Behavior of Photopolymers for In-Space Fabrication

TL;DR

This paper develops a thermal model for photopolymerization in microgravity, validated with ISS experiments, to enable defect-free in-space manufacturing by predicting and controlling heat buildup during polymer curing.

Contribution

It introduces a coupled heat transfer and polymerization model tailored for microgravity, validated with space experiments, to improve in-space photopolymer manufacturing processes.

Findings

Suppressed convection in microgravity increases thermal buildup and defects.

The model accurately predicts blistering and defect-free outcomes.

Model can guide the design of in-space photopolymerization processes.

Abstract

Future long-duration space missions will require in-situ, on-demand manufacturing of tools and components. Photopolymer-based processes are attractive for this purpose due to their low energy requirements, volume efficiency, and precise control of curing. However, photopolymerization generates significant heat, which is difficult to regulate in microgravity where natural convection is absent, leading to defects such as surface blistering and deformation. In this work, we combine experimental studies and modeling to address these thermal challenges. We report results from International Space Station (ISS) experiments and a dedicated parabolic flight campaign, which confirm that suppressed convective heat transfer in microgravity exacerbates thermal buildup and defect formation. Building on these observations, we present a predictive thermal model that couples heat transfer, light absorption, and evolving material properties to simulate polymerization and temperature evolution under terrestrial and microgravity conditions. Laboratory validation demonstrates strong agreement between model predictions and measured temperature profiles. Applying the model to the ISS experiments, we show that the model accurately reproduces experimentally observed blistering in TJ-3704A, a commercial acrylate-based polymer resin, while also predicting defect-free outcomes for Norland optical adhesives. The model functions as a design tool for defect-free in-space manufacturing, enabling selection of polymer properties, exposure strategies, and environmental conditions that together inhibit excess thermal buildup, paving the way for scalable, reliable in-situ manufacturing during future missions.