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Home › Materials Science & Engineering Center › Biofouling and Biodeterioration

Case Study

Material Performance Under Simulated (MIC) Conditions

Altran Solutions has been a major supporter of the development of the life support systems of the International Space Station (ISS). Aside from concern for astronaut health and safety, determining the performance of materials selected for construction of ISS hardware and systems is critical to prevent their premature deterioration on-orbit.

Altran's scientists have helped the aerospace industry in the material selection process by conducting performance testing of selected materials under conditions that simulated the operation of ISS hardware on-orbit (pH, temperature, laminar flow, and other physicochemical properties). Accelerated microbiological exposure tests were also conducted to assure that chosen materials would hold up under attack from corrosive bacteria (Microbiologically influenced corrosion, MIC).

Altran designed and constructed a test apparatus to expose coupons of ISS materials to fluid in the presence of bacteria for 6 months. At the end of the exposure period, the test materials were assessed for presence of biofilms and damage to the metal. The data generated was critical to the material selection process for construction of the ISS life support systems.

Altran has supported the aerospace industry with simulation and accelerated testing services since 1994, providing real time data and answers to complex materials engineering questions.