Abstract: A metal substrate such as bare or anodized aluminum or an aluminum alloy having an inorganic white paint thermal control coating on the substrate, said coating having low solar absorptance and high infrared emittance, such as a potassium silicate binder having zinc oxide particles distributed therein, and a fluoropolymer topcoat such as polytetrafluoroethylene on the inorganic white coating, the topcoat having substantially no significant effect on the optical properties of the thermal control coating and having substantial adhesion to such coating and improved resistance to darkening under ultraviolet exposure in the outer space environment.

Abstract: A radome structure has an outer first layer of a fiber-reinforced composite material of quartz fibers in a noncrystalline cured oligomeric cyanate ester pre-polymer. A second layer of a syntactic foam underlies and is bonded to the first layer. A third layer of the same fiber-reinforced composite material (although possibly of different thickness) underlies and is bonded to the second layer. A fourth layer of the syntactic foam underlies and is bonded to the third layer. A fifth layer of the same fiber-reinforced composite material (preferably of the same thickness as the first layer) underlies and is bonded to the fourth layer. The structure is formed by layup of the first layer inside a female mold, and successively shaping the remaining layers and tacking them to each preceding layer. The shell produced in this manner can be joined to conforming shells.

Abstract: A radome structure having an integrally attached attaching structure for attachment to an aircraft is disclosed, the attaching structure being affixed to a rearward portion of the radome. The attaching structure preferably comprises, at least in part, a core material which is capable of strengthening the attaching structure, thereby making it stronger than the material from which the radome shell is fabricated.

Abstract: A radome structure has an outer first layer of a fiber-reinforced composite material of quartz fibers in a noncrystalline cured oligomeric cyanate ester pre-polymer. A second layer of a syntactic foam underlies and is bonded to the first layer. A third layer of the same fiber-reinforced composite material (although possibly of different thickness) underlies and is bonded to the second layer. A fourth layer of the syntactic foam underlies and is bonded to the third layer. A fifth layer of the same fiber-reinforced composite material (preferably of the same thickness as the first layer) underlies and is bonded to the fourth layer. The structure is formed by layup of the first layer inside a female mold, and successively shaping the remaining layers and tacking them to each preceding layer. The shell produced in this manner can be joined to conforming shells.

Abstract: A low-density, porous material is prepared by mixing together microballoons and an oligomeric precursor to a polyetherimide polymer. The oligomeric precursor has an initial viscosity sufficiently low that it can flow and wet the microballoons when first heated to a polymerization processing temperature, and thereafter polymerize. Fibers may be controllably incorporated into the material during processing to impart specific properties, and air may be controllably incorporated into the material during processing to further decrease its density.