UAV & Satellites Materials

Advanced Materials for High-Performance Flight and Space Systems

Aerospace materials must withstand temperature swings, radiation exposure, and vacuum conditions while maintaining strength and dimensional stability. GracoRoberts supplies a full range of space-qualified and UAV-optimized materials that address these critical challenges.

Thermal and Environmental Stability

• Low Outgassing and Moisture Resistance: Our materials are formulated to minimize outgassing and moisture absorption, protecting optics, sensors, and delicate instrumentation in orbit.
  
• Radiation and Atomic Oxygen Resistance: Specialized coatings and composites defend against atomic oxygen degradation and radiation-induced microcracking in low-Earth orbit.
  
• Thermal Expansion Control: Adhesives and laminates feature low coefficients of thermal and moisture expansion (CTE/CME), maintaining alignment and bond integrity through rapid temperature cycling.

Built for precision where failure isn’t an option, from 150°C heat loads to cryogenic chill.

Product Formats Tailored for Aerospace Manufacturing

GracoRoberts offers UAV and satellite materials in multiple forms to fit complex assembly requirements and cure profiles. Our engineering team can help select the right format based on your process, substrate, and environment.

• Prepregs & Film Adhesives – High fiber volume, consistent cure cycles, and predictable performance for composite bonding.
• Potting & Encapsulation Compounds – Superior dielectric strength and vibration protection for avionics and circuit boards.
• Thermal Interface & Shielding Materials – Lightweight conductive fillers and foils for heat dissipation and EMI protection.
• Surface & Thermal Coatings – Formulated for reflectivity, UV resistance, and temperature management on external structures.

Technical data sheets and product selectors are available through our engineering support team.

Electronics Protection and Conformal Coatings for UAVs

In UAV systems, reliability depends on electronic stability under moisture, vibration, and UV stress. GracoRoberts provides thin-film and conformal coatings that safeguard critical components without compromising performance.

Why Electronics Protection Matters

• Prevents short circuits and corrosion in high-humidity or salt-mist environments
• Preserves signal clarity and dielectric stability for mission-critical RF devices
• Reduces weight while improving insulation, endurance, and mission lifespan
  

Precision Protection for UAV Components

Our coatings and encapsulants protect:

• Printed circuit boards (PCBs)
• Flight controllers and sensors
• Power management modules
• RF transmitters and antennas
• Cameras, LEDs, and vision systems

Many conformal coatings are applied at thicknesses below 10 microns and achieve IPX8 waterproof ratings, ensuring protection without adding payload mass.

From takeoff to telemetry, our electric coatings ensure UAV electronics remain mission-ready in any environment.

Structural and Thermal Applications

Every component in UAV and satellite systems demands a balance of strength, weight, and resilience. Our materials deliver aerospace performance from surface to core.

• Composite Bonding: Lightweight adhesives engineered for UAV airframes and composite-to-metal joints.
• Thermal Management: High-reflectivity coatings and conductive adhesives regulate satellite surface temperatures.
• EMI/RFI Shielding: Electrically conductive coatings and foils to protect avionics from electromagnetic interference.
• Payload and Sensor Protection: Potting compounds and encapsulants for vibration damping and environmental sealing.

Certifications and Aerospace Quality Standards

GracoRoberts operates under strict aerospace and defense quality systems, ensuring repeatability, reliability, and full material traceability.

• AS9100D / ISO 9001:2015 Certified
• Nadcap and ITAR-Compliant Processes
• Batch-Controlled Testing and Documentation
• Trusted Partnerships with top-tier aerospace manufacturers and material innovators

Every product is backed by aerospace-grade quality assurance and supported by our team of materials engineers dedicated to flight-critical performance.

Engineering Support and Technical Resources

Selecting the right adhesive, coating, or composite for your UAV or satellite design requires not only data but partnership as well.

GracoRoberts provides:

• Application-specific material recommendations
• Technical datasheets, selector guides, and whitepapers
• Engineering consultations for curing, bonding, and environmental optimization

Our specialists offer services in collaborating with your design team to meet launch-readiness and performance objectives, from prototype through production.

GracoRoberts Is Your Partner for All Your UAV and Satellite Material Needs

Whether you’re building high-endurance drones for defense and mapping or assembling satellites for communication and observation, GracoRoberts offers the materials expertise and supply reliability you need to succeed.

Our composites, adhesives, coatings, and electronic protection solutions are proven across the aerospace spectrum, helping innovators reduce weight, increase endurance, and extend mission life.

Frequently Asked Questions About UAV and Satellite Materials

1. What materials are UAVs made of?

UAVs are primarily built from lightweight carbon fiber and glass fiber composites bonded with aerospace-grade adhesives. These materials deliver high strength, stiffness, and thermal stability while minimizing payload weight. Thermal coatings and conformal coatings protect avionics from heat, moisture, and electromagnetic interference.

2. What is the best material for drones?

The best material depends on the mission and altitude, but carbon fiber composites are widely favored for their superior stiffness-to-weight ratio. Combined with advanced adhesives and EMI-shielding coatings, they ensure strength, reliability, and longer flight endurance.

3. What materials are used in military drones?

Military drones use carbon and aramid composites, high-temperature adhesives, and conductive coatings engineered for stealth and durability. These materials resist radiation, extreme heat, and vibration while protecting critical electronics from interference and impact.

4. What are the high-performance materials used for UAV manufacturing?

High-performance UAVs rely on aerospace composites, thermal coatings, and EMI/RFI shielding materials to meet demanding environmental conditions. GracoRoberts supplies lightweight adhesives, potting compounds, and surface treatments that enhance flight range, heat control, and electronic reliability.

5. How do thermal coatings benefit satellites and UAVs?

High-performance thermal coatings help manage extreme temperature swings, reflect solar irradiation, and protect structural and electronic components in UAVs and satellites. They maintain dimensional stability and reduce thermal loads, thereby increasing mission durability and reducing failure risk.

6. What role does EMI/RFI shielding play in aerospace electronics?

EMI (electromagnetic interference) and RFI (radio-frequency interference) shielding materials ensure that avionics and sensor systems operate reliably by preventing unwanted signal disruption or radiated emission. In aerospace applications, lightweight conductive films or coatings are critical for protecting UAV and satellite electronics without adding significant weight or compromising structural performance.