Materials and Processes Technology Board ( MPTB )

Task Forces and Splinter Groups

Working groups and Task Forces:

Chromates Space Task Force (STF), focuses on REACH constraints (authorisation, restriction initiative) associated with the use of hexavalent chromium and provides guidelines for the extended use of hexavalent-chromium mixtures.

Lead Metal Task Force (LTF), focuses on regulatory constraints associated with the use of lead metal

Energetic Materials WG (EMWG), focuses on the monitoring of new regulations (not limited to REACH) limiting the use of substances relevant for formulation of energetic materials, including propellants and pyrotechnics.

REACH Restrictions Task Force (RTF), focuses on recent REACH restriction proposals associated with entire substance group/family entries, including “universal” PFAS, bisphenols, D4, D5 and D6 cyclic siloxanes and other substances.

Waste Framework Directive/SCIP Task Force (WFD/SCIP TF), focuses on legal obligations associated with reporting on chemicals in articles, SCIP notifications of SVHCs in articles in particular. Task force produced and updates guidelines for the sector on SCIP notification.

Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Space Focus Group (CSS SFG), focuses on the EU REACH revision process launched in 2021, as well as other chemicals-related initiatives under the European Green Deal of 2019, such as the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The Obsolescence Splinter Group (OSG) monitors and mitigates risks related to material and process obsolescence in the European Space Sector, coordinating joint material characterization efforts and defines priorities based on immediate obsolescence risks as well as REACH-related risks exposure.

The Long-Term Storage Working Group (LTS WG) is addressing long-term on-ground lifecycle of materials and associated processes in dedicated guidelines (in drafting). It also covers activities related to long-term clean room exposure.

European Space Materials Data Base (ESMDB) Steering Board, focusing on development of a common European material database, listing space-relevant materials and their key characteristics; in addition to this effort, MPTB regularly exchange on progress with DMPL Tool, MODESA (Materials Outgassing screening database) and ESA REACH Tool on ESA side, and MATREX (Material Recording EXperience) on CNES side.

Materials Space Environmental Survivability WG (MSES WG), addressing aspects of durability of relevant materials exposed to extreme conditions of space environments, including dust, Atomic Oxygen, particles, radiation (including UV/VUV) and synergistic testing.

Composite splinter (on hold), focusing on specific type of materials, CFRPs, GFRPs, relevant resins, and development in this advance materials’ domain, the group is currently on hold.

Shared WGs between Component Technology Board (CTB) and MPTB:

Lead-free transition WG (LFTWG), dealing with potential transition of space sector towards lead-free technologies. The scope of the LFTWG is limited to the domain of EEE components, electronic assembly technologies and PCBs, to ensure a successful industry-wide transition to a Pb-free technology while preserving or improving current level of quality and reliability of the baseline applications.

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