Space Survivability of Main-Chain and Side-Chain POSS-Kapton Polyimides

Abstract

Kapton polyimide (PI) is extensively used in solar arrays, spacecraft thermal blankets, and space inflatable structures. Upon exposure to atomic oxygen (AO) in low Earth orbit (LEO), Kapton is severely degraded. An effective approach to prevent this erosion is chemically bonding polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) into the polyimide matrix by copolymerization of POSS-diamine with the polyimide monomers. POSS is a silicon and oxygen cage-like structure surrounded by organic groups and can be polymerizable. The copolymerization of POSS provides Si and O in the polymer matrix on the nano level. During POSS polyimide exposure to atomic oxygen, organic material is degraded and a silica passivation layer is formed. This silica layer protects the underlying polymer from further degradation. Ground-based studies and MISSE-1 and MISSE-5 flight results have shown that POSS polyimides are resistant to atomic-oxygen attack in LEO.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA485804

Entities

People

  • Amy L. Brunsvold
  • Andrew J. Guenthner
  • Brian J. Pettys
  • Casey Knight
  • Joseph M Mabry
  • Laura M. Mcgrath
  • Michael E. Wright
  • Sandra J. Tomczak
  • Timothy K. Minton
  • Vandana Vij

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Department Of Defense
  • Earth Orbits
  • Ground Based
  • Inflatable Structures
  • Information Operations
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Magnification
  • Materials
  • Military Research
  • Organic Materials
  • Physical Properties
  • Space Environments
  • Space Objects
  • Space Stations
  • Spacecraft

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Technology
  • Surface Coatings Technology.
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.

Technology Areas

  • Space