Aeroglaze A276 white polyurethane paint A276

Moisture-curing polyurethane coating with titanium dioxide pigment (Acktar Table 1 prints 'Polyurethane with TiO2 pigment')

Also known as AEROGLAZE A276, Aeroglaze 276 White Gloss, A276

AEROGLAZE A276 is a gloss white, moisture-curing polyurethane topcoat.

8 sources · Updated 2026-11-01 · CC BY 4.0

Evidence level

2 of 5

Lab-measured

Reflect sunlight

0.23 solar absorptivity

Radiate heat

0.91 normal emissivity

Stay low in outgassing

0.99 % TML and 0.08 % CVCM

Recipe, share of the weight

  • not printed in any source readPolyurethane binder
  • not printed in any source readTitanium dioxide pigment

Best for

White thermal-control surfaces that need a gloss white finish, with the solar absorptivity of 0.23 and normal emissivity of 0.91 printed in the Socomore leaflet

Weakest at

Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit: on the LDEF leading edge the A276 polyurethane binder eroded completely (NASA A0034 interim results), and the S0069 report says silicone overcoats allowed solar UV damage

Risk at a glance

  • People Moderate. Pigment and isocyanate hazard, not measured for A276
  • If it fails High. Atomic oxygen erosion of the polyurethane binder
  • Corrosion Severe. On the LDEF leading edge, atomic oxygen eroded the A276 polyurethane binder completely, and diffuse reflectance stayed relatively unchanged.

Why it exists

AEROGLAZE A276 is a gloss white polyurethane topcoat for spacecraft thermal control. The Socomore leaflet prints a solar absorptivity of 0.23 and a normal emissivity of 0.91 for it, with a TML of 0.99 % and a CVCM of 0.08 %. Acktar's page gives a different solar absorptance of 0.170 and thermal emittance of 0.880 without conditions, so the two sets are kept apart.

Where it's used

Spacecraft thermal control

The Socomore leaflet lists NASA's Hubble Telescope, the Space Shuttle program and the LDEF among notable applications of the AEROGLAZE topcoats, which include A276.

Planetary mission test

Acktar lists Aeroglaze 276 among white thermal control paints evaluated by ITL for planetary missions, in tests that included vacuum and dust, without printing A276 results.

Recipe

Moisture-curing polyurethane coating with titanium dioxide pigment (Acktar Table 1 prints 'Polyurethane with TiO2 pigment')

AEROGLAZE A276 is a moisture-curing polyurethane coating with titanium dioxide pigment, per the Acktar Table 1 entry. Polyurethanes are typically made by reacting a diisocyanate with a polyol, per Wikipedia. The A276 formulation, its isocyanate, its polyol and the pigment share are not printed in any source read.

What A276 is made of
IngredientShare of the weightWhat it does
Polyurethane binder not printed in any source read Moisture-curing polyurethane binder, the film-forming part of the paint; the NASA A0034 paper says the A276 binder eroded completely under atomic oxygen on the LDEF leading edge
Titanium dioxide pigment not printed in any source read White pigment named in Acktar Table 1 as the pigment of Aeroglaze 276 White Gloss

Weight shares are as printed in the sources.

What it can do

Reflect sunlight

0.23 solar absorptivity

measured

The Socomore leaflet prints a solar absorptivity of 0.23 for AEROGLAZE A276. Acktar's summary table prints 0.170 for the same paint with no conditions, so the two are not merged.

Radiate heat

0.91 normal emissivity

measured

The Socomore leaflet prints a normal emissivity of 0.91 for AEROGLAZE A276. Acktar's Table 6 prints a thermal emittance of 0.880, which is a different figure from a different source.

Stay low in outgassing

0.99 % TML and 0.08 % CVCM

measured

The leaflet prints a TML of 0.99 % and a CVCM of 0.08 % for AEROGLAZE A276, both obtained by a modified cure or bake-out schedule.

How it compares

The Socomore leaflet and the Modus article agree on a solar absorptivity of 0.23 for A276, while Acktar Table 6 prints 0.170 with no test conditions, and the leaflet and Acktar's thermal emittance of 0.880 are not the same measure. The black sister topcoat Z306 is in its own profile; it is a different paint, so it is not compared here. Test schedules and film thicknesses differ between sources, so none of these rows is a ranking.

The same measurements for each material, so you can compare them. Each row names the key condition under the value; the full conditions and methods are in the numbered notes under Technical details.

Benchmarks
MeasurementA276
Thermal behavior and safety
Thermal emittance, Aeroglaze 276 (Acktar summary table)0.88 -6
Physical and electrical
Optimal dry film thickness, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)1.5 mils10
Other measurements
Solar absorptivity, AEROGLAZE A276 (manufacturer leaflet)0.23 -1
Normal emissivity, AEROGLAZE A276 (manufacturer leaflet)0.91 -2
Total mass loss (TML), AEROGLAZE A2760.99 %3
Collected volatile condensable material (CVCM), AEROGLAZE A2760.08 %4
Solar absorptance, Aeroglaze 276 (Acktar summary table)0.17 -5
Atomic oxygen erosion result, A276 (Acktar Table 3)-243.9 μg/cm²7
Mass change under atomic oxygen, A276 (Acktar Table 3)-1.69 mg8
Solids content, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)54 % by weight9
VOC content, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)503 g/L11
Curing time for ultimate properties, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)14 days12

Why choose it, and why not

Good for

  • Gloss white thermal-control surfaces: solar absorptivity 0.23 and normal emissivity 0.91 as printed in the Socomore leaflet.
  • Low-outgassing white coatings: TML of 0.99 % and CVCM of 0.08 % as printed in the leaflet, under a modified bake-out schedule.

Watch out for

  • Atomic oxygen: on the LDEF leading edge the A276 binder eroded completely, per the NASA A0034 paper.
  • Solar UV: silicone overcoats stopped material loss on A276 but allowed UV damage, per the S0069 report.
  • Source conflict: solar absorptance 0.23 in the leaflet versus 0.170 in Acktar Table 6, with no conditions for the second.
  • No temperature range, cure temperature or A276 humidity result was read, so those operating limits are not recorded.

AEROGLAZE A276 is a gloss white polyurethane coating with a solar absorptivity of 0.23 and a normal emissivity of 0.91 in the Socomore leaflet, and TML and CVCM of 0.99 % and 0.08 % under a modified bake-out. Acktar prints different optical values, and LDEF showed the binder eroding under atomic oxygen. Its operating range, cure temperature and any humidity data were not found in any source read.

Technical details

For scientists and researchers. Everything above comes from the record below: every number with its method, its conditions and its source.

Other names and standards

The same grade under other systems, as datasheets and standards print them. Each code was checked against the page it comes from.

Other names and standards
SystemCodes
Trade nameAEROGLAZE A276, Aeroglaze 276 White Gloss, A276

Notes

The method, full conditions and any caveat for the numbered rows above.

Notes for the numbered rows
#MeasurementMethodConditionsCaveat
1Solar absorptivity, AEROGLAZE A276 (manufacturer leaflet)Typical value printed on the manufacturer leafletproduct AEROGLAZE A276, gloss white topcoatbasis dimensionless; the leaflet does not print the test method or film thickness—
2Normal emissivity, AEROGLAZE A276 (manufacturer leaflet)Typical value printed on the manufacturer leafletproduct AEROGLAZE A276, gloss white topcoatbasis dimensionless; the leaflet does not print the test method or film thickness—
3Total mass loss (TML), AEROGLAZE A276Printed on the manufacturer leaflet; the footnote says the values come from a modified cure and/or bake-out scheduleproduct AEROGLAZE A276basis obtained by a modified cure and/or bake-out schedule, as the leaflet footnote states—
4Collected volatile condensable material (CVCM), AEROGLAZE A276Printed on the manufacturer leaflet; the same footnote appliesproduct AEROGLAZE A276basis obtained by a modified cure and/or bake-out schedule, as the leaflet footnote states—
5Solar absorptance, Aeroglaze 276 (Acktar summary table)Summary table of optical properties for Russian and USA thermal control materials; method not printedproduct Aeroglaze 276 White Glossbasis no test conditions are printed on the page for this value—
6Thermal emittance, Aeroglaze 276 (Acktar summary table)Summary table of optical properties for Russian and USA thermal control materials; method not printedproduct Aeroglaze 276 White Glossbasis no test conditions are printed on the page for this value—
7Atomic oxygen erosion result, A276 (Acktar Table 3)Erosion result as printed in the table; the page gives mass before and after for the same rowproduct A276 (Table 3 row name)basis atomic-oxygen beam test in two stages; the total fluence is printed in the table title in exponent form and is not copied here—
8Mass change under atomic oxygen, A276 (Acktar Table 3)Mass change as printed in the table; mass before and after are 0.19004 g and 0.18835 g on the same rowproduct A276 (Table 3 row name)basis atomic-oxygen beam test in two stages; the total fluence is printed in the table title in exponent form and is not copied here—
9Solids content, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)Product property printed in a competitor's blog post; no test method printedproduct AEROGLAZE A276basis range as the article prints it—
10Optimal dry film thickness, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)Product property printed in a competitor's blog post; no test method printedproduct AEROGLAZE A276basis optimal dry film thickness range as the article prints it—
11VOC content, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)Product property printed in a competitor's blog post; no test method printedproduct AEROGLAZE A276basis as the article prints it—
12Curing time for ultimate properties, AEROGLAZE A276 (Modus Advanced article)Product property printed in a competitor's blog post; no cure temperature printedproduct AEROGLAZE A276basis time to reach ultimate properties, as the article prints it—

Corrosion and compatibility

What happens when it meets other materials and environments.

Corrosion and compatibility
EnvironmentConcernWhat happens
Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, LDEF leading edge severe On the LDEF leading edge, atomic oxygen eroded the A276 polyurethane binder completely, and diffuse reflectance stayed relatively unchanged.1
Solar UV and atomic oxygen, A276 with silicone overcoats moderate Silicone overcoats stopped material loss on A276 but let solar UV damage the coating.2
Solar UV under a severely contaminated window moderate A276 under a severely contaminated window showed severe degradation from solar UV.3
Black-light illumination after LDEF exposure not rated After LDEF exposure, A276 showed both stimulated and quenched fluorescence under black light.4
Moisture, hydrolysis of polyurethane in general not rated Polyurethanes in general may degrade by hydrolysis; no moisture-ageing test of A276 was read.5
Corrosion details
#EnvironmentDetailsTest conditions
1 Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit, LDEF leading edge The NASA A0034 interim results say the A276 white coating exposed to atomic oxygen was relatively unchanged in diffuse reflectance despite complete erosion by atomic oxygen of the polyurethane binder. platform LDEF leading edge, low Earth orbitexposure LDEF mission; the exposure duration is not stated in the passage read
2 Solar UV and atomic oxygen, A276 with silicone overcoats The S0069 report says the RTV670 and OI650 silicone overcoats over A276 prevented material loss but allowed, presumably, solar UV damage of the A276 coating, and the silicone layer cracked from atomic-oxygen glassification. basis LDEF results for overcoated A276 specimens, as reported in the S0069 paper
3 Solar UV under a severely contaminated window The NASA A0034 paper says severe degradation of the A276 coating exposed under a severely contaminated window confirms the relatively minimal level of solar UV radiation required for darkening of this coating. basis LDEF specimen under a severely contaminated window; no darkening rate was given in the passage read
4 Black-light illumination after LDEF exposure The NASA A0034 paper says the polyurethane-based paints A276 and Z306 showed both stimulated and quenched fluorescence as a result of space exposure, unlike the zinc oxide pigmented coatings. basis visual black-light observation in the paper; no fluorescence intensity was given
5 Moisture, hydrolysis of polyurethane in general Wikipedia states that polyurethanes may degrade due to hydrolysis. No A276 humidity or moisture-ageing result was found in any source read for this profile. basis general statement about polyurethanes; not an A276 test

Risks and side effects

Hazards to people, what happens when a cell overheats, and how the material is handled and stored.

For people

The PubChem entry for titanium dioxide, the pigment named for A276, carries a suspected-carcinogen statement for the pure pigment, and Wikipedia cites OSHA for isocyanate sensitization in polyurethanes.

Pigment
PubChem lists a GHS hazard statement, 'Suspected of causing cancer', for titanium dioxide, while its ECHA entry is Not Classified.
Isocyanates
Wikipedia states that isocyanates used to make polyurethanes are known skin and respiratory sensitizers, according to OSHA. No source read says whether A276 contains one.

If it fails

In orbit, the failure route in these sources is atomic oxygen erosion of the binder, measured on LDEF.

Atomic oxygen
On the LDEF leading edge the A276 binder eroded completely, but the diffuse reflectance stayed relatively unchanged, per the NASA A0034 interim results.
Silicone overcoats
The S0069 report says silicone overcoats stopped the material loss but allowed solar UV damage of the A276 coating.

Test details
The original wording and numbers from the sources, for readers who want them.

Failure risks

Failure risks
FailureTrigger and consequence
Atomic oxygen erosion of the polyurethane binderhigh severityUnprotected exposure on the LDEF leading edge in low Earth orbitThe binder eroded completely, while the diffuse reflectance stayed relatively unchanged, per the NASA A0034 interim results.
Solar UV darkening of the A276 coatingmoderate severityLDEF specimen under a severely contaminated windowSevere degradation of the A276 coating, per the NASA A0034 paper.
Solar UV damage under a silicone overcoatmoderate severitySilicone overcoats (RTV670 and OI650) used to protect A276 on LDEFThe overcoat prevented material loss but allowed, presumably, solar UV damage of the A276 coating, per the S0069 report.

Handling and storage

  • Acktar's table gives no handling step. The Modus Advanced article says that for most substrates a primer should be applied to ensure adhesion, and the technical data sheet is cited as the source of that advice.
  • No manufacturer technical data sheet or safety data sheet for AEROGLAZE A276 was read in this run. The Socomore and Lord sites were not reached, so cure temperature, pot life and handling steps are not recorded from a primary source.

Mitigations

  • The S0069 report says silicone overcoats prevented material loss on A276 on LDEF, but they allowed solar UV damage, so an overcoat trades erosion for UV darkening.

Supply and geography

How common the raw materials are and where they come from.

Titanium dioxide pigment (the pigment named for A276 in Acktar Table 1)

Updated