Abstract: To address the high-precision defect detection requirements of fasteners in vacuum equipment used in aerospace and nuclear power systems, this study evaluates the adaptability of ZnSe infrared window materials in terms of thermal stability, optical performance, and outgassing control. A correlation model between material properties and defect-recognition performance was established by integrating optical analysis in the 8-12 μm band with thermodynamic and vacuum-outgassing modeling, thereby quantifying the factors affecting imaging quality. A vacuum experimental platform was developed to simulate thermal cycling, particle impacts, and long-term outgassing conditions, and the performance of ZnSe was compared with that of Ge and AMTIR-1 materials. The results show that ZnSe exhibits a vacuum transmittance of 75%, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 45-50 dB, and an edge sharpness of ≤3 pixels. The defect-recognition accuracy reached 93-95%, with false-detection and missed-detection rates of ≤3% and ≤2%, respectively. After 500 hours of operation and 100 thermal cycles, the transmittance decreased by only 0.8%, with no cracking observed, and the outgassing rate remained ≤5×10^-9 Pa·L/(s·cm²), ensuring excellent sealing stability. These results demonstrate that ZnSe possesses superior vacuum infrared imaging performance and environmental adaptability, making it well suited for composite robotic thermal-imaging recognition systems and providing essential material support for high-vacuum inspection equipment.

Key words: ZnSe infrared window, thermal imaging recognition system, vacuum environment, fastener defect detection, vacuum adaptability