Gold-plated molybdenum wire
Gold-plated molybdenum wire: the core material for precision manufacturing of space-borne deployable antennas
In the field of spacecraft technology, the performance of satellite-borne deployable antenna directly determines the quality of satellite communication. As its core material, a gold-plated molybdenum wire with a diameter of only 15 to 30 microns (about a quarter of the size of a human hair) has become a key support for this cutting-edge equipment due to its unique physical properties and complex process technology.
Material selection: Rigid advantages of molybdenum wire substrate
Molybdenum metal has become the ideal base material for sky thread net because of its high strength, high temperature resistance and low thermal expansion coefficient. However, the traditional molybdenum wire still has some problems such as insufficient reflectivity and limited flexibility in the extreme environment of space. To this end, the research team innovatively gold-plated the surface of the molybdenum wire to form a "gold-plated molybdenum wire" composite structure. The gold coating not only significantly improves the electromagnetic wave reflection efficiency (gold reflectivity up to more than 90%), but also enhances the toughness of the material and the binding force of the coating by doping specific organic elements, ensuring that the metal mesh maintains structural stability during repeated expansion and closure.
Micron precision manufacturing: process breakthrough difficulties
The processing of very fine molybdenum wires is itself a huge challenge. Molybdenum wire drawing below 30 microns needs to break through the traditional metal processing limits, and its precision control needs to reach the sub-micron level. The gold plating process further increases the technical complexity: on the one hand, it is necessary to ensure that the gold coating evenly covers the surface of the molybdenum wire to avoid microholes or stripping; On the other hand, the thickness of the coating should be strictly controlled at the nanometer level to meet the reflection requirements and avoid material embrittlement due to excessive thickness. For this reason, a composite gold plating technique combining vacuum ion sputtering and electrochemical deposition was developed. By optimizing parameters such as temperature and current density, atomic bonding of coating and substrate was realized.
Twinning and twisting: the stability revolution of the weaving process
A single gold-plated molybdenum wire cannot withstand mechanical loads in space. The three molybdenum wires are precisely twisted in a spiral way to form a composite wire with a diameter of less than 0.1 mm. This process is done in a constant temperature and humidity environment, and the uniformity of the stranding is ensured by a dynamic tension control system. After the test, the tensile strength of the twisted wire is increased by 300%, and the topological structure design makes the metal mesh can adapt to deformation when it is unrolled, avoiding the risk of fracture caused by stress concentration.
The leap from the lab to space
At present, gold-plated molybdenum wire has been successfully applied to multi-type satellite antennas, and still maintains excellent performance under the space temperature difference of -180℃ to 120℃. The breakthrough lies not only in the innovation of the material itself, but also reflects the interdisciplinary integration of micro and nano manufacturing, surface engineering and textile technology. In the future, with the upgrading of 6G communication and deep space exploration needs, this "rigid and flexible" smart material will open up a new path for spacecraft lightweight and high performance.
The birth of gold-plated molybdenum wire confirms the truth that aerospace science and technology "determines the universe between the slightest". In the human journey to explore the sea of stars, these unrecognizable metal wires are quietly weaving a communication network connecting the universe.
Mosten Alloy can produce molybdenum sheet, molybdenum block, molybdenum foil, molybdenum rod, molybdenum wire, molybdenum processing workpiece according to customer demand.
