The Surface Emittance of Vacuum-Metallized Polyester Film

Abstract

The thermal performance of a multilayer insulation system at high vacuum is directly dependent upon the surface emittance of its radiation shields. This emittance is related to the metal used for the shields and to the metal purity, as well as to the products formed at the surfaces due to chemical reactions of the metal with the environment. Where shields are formed by metal coatings on substrate films, the thickness of the coating affects the emittance and establishes the portion of incident radiation which is transmitted through the shield material.