Presently there are very few epoxies qualified for space flight and even fewer qualified for space flight optical fiber cable assemblies. Currently, Goddard Space Flight Center uses Tra-Con Bipax, Tra-Bond BA-F113AMP for all fiber optic space flight cable harnesses. During this study two epoxies from AngstromBond were tested for their outgassing characteristics inside and outside of a cable configuration. The two test epoxies used in the experiment were the AngstromBond AB9119 and the AngstromBond 9112 fiber optic epoxies.

To test the fiber optic epoxy in cable configuration, the test epoxies were used in lieu of Tra-Con Bipax Tra-Bond BA-F113AMP epoxy in the preparation of the fiber optic cables. The cables were assembled using Goddard Space Flight Center’s standard procedure for space flight

fiber optic cable. After assembly the cables were tested for their optical performance and inspected for the physical integrity of the fiber endface. Following the performance testing and visual inspection the cables underwent the outgas testing in a CAHN Microbalance. After the testing, the cable were tested again for performance and inspected for damage.

Upon completion of outgas testing in cable configuration it was apparent that two of the cables were damaged. The damage found in the cables made it necessary for the testing outside of cable configuration to be performed. Failure analysis of the damaged cables revealed that the failure was due to the small size of the cables and not the outgassing of the epoxies.

The testing of the fiber optic epoxy when outside of a cable configuration was conducted using the standard procedures for an ASTM-E595 outgassing test. The epoxy samples were cured in separate aluminum dishes and given to material engineers. The engineers cut the sample into the necessary size and shape and conducted the outgas testing. After the completion of the testing, values for Total Mass Loss and Collected Volatile Condensable Materials were received from the material engineers.

When tested in cable configuration the cables prepared with both the AB9119 and 9112 passed the outgas testing with TML values below 1 percent. However, when the epoxies were tested out of configuration the AB9119 epoxy passed and the 9112 failed. Therefore, the conclusion was made that the AB9119 epoxy qualified for space flight use and the 9112 did not.