Enhancing the Durability and Strength of Weather Balloon Gas Bags Using Nanomaterials and Composites

This study aims to enhance the mechanical strength of meteorological balloon envelopes and reduce their bursting probability at high altitudes through the optimization of polymeric materials using nanotechnology and advanced composites. A key limitation in this field is the poor resistance of natural latex to extreme environmental conditions, including low temperatures and variable atmospheric pressures, which degrades balloon performance. The design of experiments (DOE) approach and Design-Expert software were applied to determine the optimal material composition. Dumbbell-shaped specimens prepared according to ASTM D۶۳۸ standard, based on latex reinforced with graphene, Linex, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), were subjected to tensile testing using a universal testing machine to evaluate mechanical properties. Microstructural analyses were performed using SEM and TEM, and balloon performance at different altitudes was simulated using COMSOL software. Results indicated that the latex–Linex composite exhibited the highest tensile strength (۱۳.۴۷ N/mm²) and elongation at break (۲۰۱.۶۸%). In contrast, latex–graphene and latex–PVC samples showed tensile strengths of ۰.۳۹ and ۱۰.۰۵ N/mm², with elongations of ۳۹۷.۷۳% and ۵۷.۰۵%, respectively. Simulation results confirmed that the optimized balloons can reach altitudes above ۳۰–۴۰ km and are capable of carrying lightweight satellites. These findings contribute to improved atmospheric data accuracy and the development of lightweight aerospace applications.

کلیدواژه ها:

Weather Balloon ، Natural Latex ، Graphene ، Linex ، Nanocomposite ، Tensile Strength