Uniaxial tensile mechanical tests of Kapton foil at high-low temperature conditions

Purpose This study aims to investigate the basic mechanical properties of inflatable antenna reflector material under high-low temperatures. Design/methodology/approach Uniaxial tensile tests of Kapton (polyimide) foils were conducted in this paper. Kapton foils with a thickness of 25 µm were used and the strip specimens were manufactured according to the machine direction and the transverse direction of the foils. Findings The stress–strain curves of the foils were obtained under ten temperature conditions (−70°C, −40°C, −10°C, 0°C, 20°C, 50°C, 80°C, 110°C, 140°C, 170°C) after uniaxial tensile tests. Generally speaking, such stress–strain curves are highly nonlinear, and Kapton can be classified into some kind of ductile material without obvious yielding point. Practical implications The tests results provide a basis for partial coefficients of Kapton foils strength design value, and meanwhile provide basic material data for the extreme temperature field test in orbit for the inflatable antenna structure in the future. Originality/value Based on the curve itself and strain energy theory, for the first time the equivalent yielding point was determined and the mechanism of constitutive curve changing with temperature was explained. Based on curves above, tensile strength, elongation at break, equivalent yielding stress, yielding strain and elastic modulus were analyzed and calculated. By analyzing the mechanical parameters above, the fitting formulas with temperature as the variable were given.