From STP to a Vacuum

[cabinetman]

The chemistry, physics, and science guru's will be called on for this one as there is nobody that can say - "Been there, done that".

With the recent NASA testing for repairs to the tiles outside the spacestation, they described the material used as just "goo".

Oakie doakie, what I'm needing some help with understanding is an adhesive that works in our atmosphere, or within STP (Standard Temperature & Pressure), may need air, or a catalyst of some sort to become effective. But out in space, in a vacuum, what happens to those chemicals? I guess my question is directed to the conditions needed for an adhesive (as I know them) aren't present.

I also realize, if I had a hard and fast answer, I'd have a job at NASA instead of cutting up wood. What do you think the "goo" is?
.

[Uncle Cracker]

Probably uses some alternative kind of catalyst, like an epoxy.

[LCHIEN]

it IS an interesting problem, a lot of liquids we commonly use just boil away when subjected to vacuums.

[Salty]

I'm picturing in my mind a group of chemists and engineers working with vacuum chambers.
One looks at the other and says "Well, crap, that one disappeared too. Scratch that off the list.
What's the next one to try?"

[Mr__Bill]

Well, if it has to work in a vacuum it's probably the same stuff they glue those bags together with that are in your Hoover

[Ed62]

Well, if it has to work in a vacuum it's probably the same stuff they glue those bags together with that are in your Hoover

I don't think they're talking about that kind of vacuum. Probably a Kenmore.

Ed

[LinuxRandal]

I do remember a video on it. (Nasa channel I think) I was thinking it was a two part epoxy, but I can't find that particular video (it may have been different trial methods).

However there is this video from last year, talking about a damaged tile, study and test proceedures, then he says there are three repair methods. The first is a heat resistant paint (he simplified the end), the second was caulk, and the third was a patch with screws.

If it is like caulk, then I would assume it may be heat cured on reentry.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv8WxNjpato

[Uncle Cracker]

I suppose it might also be photo-reactive, like some of the things a dentist uses.

[cwithboat]

Wrigley's

[Slik Geek]

No idea what it is, but in addition to the challenge of a vacuum, the temperature extremes must be a challenge too!

[eezlock]

from STP to a vacuum

Truth is....just probably some type of "super glue" that they don't want to let the rest of us mere mortals on earth find out about just yet. At least,
until after it has done it's job in space and we have to end up paying a
wholloping price of $10,000 per ounce for the stuff, like everything else from the space program! eezlock

[gerti]

Dehydrated WD40 of course! As an alternative they also tried guee-fied adhesive scraped of duct tape.