Space Environmental Effects on Silvered Teflon Thermal Control Surfaces

Abstract

Cumulative space environmental effects on Ag/FEP were a function of exposure orientation. Samples from 19 silvered Teflon (Ag/FEP) thermal control surfaces recovered from the Long Duration Exposure Facility (IDEF) have been analyzed to determine changes in this material as a function of position on the spacecraft. Although solar absorptance and infrared emittance of measured thermal blanket specimens are relatively unchanged from control specimen values, significant changes in surface morphology, composition, and chemistry were observed. All Ag/FEP surfaces exposed to high atomic oxygen flux (rows 7-11), irrespective of exact angle, had a uniformly cloudy appearance due to surface erosion. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a surface topography with sharp peaks and valleys, while x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) detected a surface composition corresponding to contamination-free FEP, with less than 1 mole % oxygen.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 15, 1991
Accession Number
ADA255909

Entities

People

  • C. S. Hemminger
  • J. C. Uht
  • W. K. Stuckey

Organizations

  • The Aerospace Corporation

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemistry
  • Classification
  • Control Surfaces
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Electrons
  • Fluoropolymers
  • Heat Pipes
  • Leading Edges
  • Materials
  • Radiation
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Space Systems
  • Spacecraft
  • Spectroscopy
  • Trailing Edges
  • X Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • X Rays

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Nanofabrication and Microfabrication.
  • Space Exploration and Orbital Mechanics.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space