Outgassing Measurements with Quartz Crystal Microbalances: Preliminary Investigation of Sample Geometry

The research investigates how different sample geometries influence outgassing behaviour, assessed using the standard ECSS-Q-ST-70-02C figures of merit-namely, total mass loss (TML) and collected volatile condensable material (CVCM). A statistical approach is applied to evaluate the extent to which shape and size affect these standard parameters. In addition, the study introduces the use of quartz crystal microbalances for in-situ and online condensation rate data acquisition to further characterise the temporal evolution of outgassing and the impact of sample geometry, in terms of shape and size. Preliminary results demonstrated geometry-dependent effects on the standard parameters as well as on condensation rates. These preliminary findings highlight the need and the importance of further investigation, particularly regarding their influence on long-term dynamic outgassing predictions, a topic that remains largely unexplored in the current literature.