Atomic Oxygen Effects on POSS Polyimides

Abstract

Kapton polyimide is ubiquitous in space applications due to its temperature stability, insulation properties, IR transparency, low solar absorptance, resistance to UV damage, and excellent thermal properties. Despite the desirable properties of Kapton, this polyimide and all organic polymeric materials are severely degraded in low Earth orbit (LEO) as a result of reactions involving atomic oxygen (AO), which can be more than 90% of the neutral component of the residual atmosphere at altitudes of 300-700 km. Polymers are typically protected by the application of a coating, often silica-based, which is resistant to degradation in the presence of AO. However, imperfections in the coating created during its deposition, or by physical damage that occurs during flight, lead to erosion of the substrate. For this reason, alternative and self-regenerative methods of protection are sought for organic polymeric materials used in space.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 25, 2011
Accession Number
ADA548595

Entities

People

  • Amy L. Brunsvold
  • Andrew J. Guenthner
  • Brooks Marshall
  • Linhan Shen
  • Michael E. Wright
  • Russell Cooper
  • Sandra J. Tomczak
  • Sara A. Marquez
  • Timothy K. Minton
  • Vandana Vij

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Chemistry
  • Coatings
  • Copolymers
  • Earth Orbits
  • Films
  • Low Earth Orbits
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Orbits
  • Polymers
  • Quartz Crystal Microbalances
  • Resistance
  • Space Stations

Readers

  • Aerospace Propulsion Engineering.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space
  • Space - Orbital Debris