NASA Space Station

Designer/Company: Boeing
Medium: Aluminum extrusions with anodized finishe

Trusses: During truss component assembly in space, the on-orbit thermal environment’s effects are challenging. According to Boeing’s Manager of Outboard Truss Elements at Boeing Canoga Park who worked on the project, direct sunlight and shadowing cause wide swings in temperature; the anodized surface finish of the extruded aluminum trusses provides superior optical properties and, because anodized aluminum doesn’t get as hot, allows for better overall thermal control.
Handrails: Extruded aluminum handrails are both anchors and lifelines for every ISS astronaut–keeping them from floating off into outer space when they venture outside on a space walk. Handrails are anodized in a bright gold finish to stand out visually against the clear silver truss structures.
For more information, see the International Space Station Aluminum Extrusion Showcase in the Extrusion Applications section of the Aluminum Extruders Council’s website at aec.org.