The effect of low earth orbit atomic oxygen exposure on phenylphosphine oxide-containing poly(arylene ether)s

Thin films of phenylphosphine oxide-containing polymers were exposed to low Earth orbit aboard a space shuttle flight (STS-85) as part of flight experiment designated Evaluation of Space Environment and Effects on Materials (ESEM). This flight experiment was a cooperative effort between the NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and the National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA). The thin-film samples described herein were part of an atomic oxygen exposure (AOE) experiment and were exposed to primarily atomic oxygen (∼1×1019 atoms cm−2). The thin-film samples consisted of three phosphine oxide-containing polymers (arylene ether, benzimidazole and imide). Based on post-flight analyses using atomic force microscopy, x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy and weight loss data, it was found that the exposure of these materials to atomic oxygen (AO) produces a phosphorus oxide layer on the surface of the samples. Earlier work has shown that this layer provides a barrier towards further attack by AO. Consequently, these materials do not exhibit linear erosion rates which is in contrast with most organic polymers. Qualitatively, the results obtained from these analyses compare favourably with those obtained from samples exposed to AO and/or an oxygen plasma in ground-based exposure experiments. The results of the low Earth orbit AO exposure on these materials will be compared with those of ground-based exposure to AO.

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Effects of atomic oxygen exposure on the tribological performance of ZrO2-reinforced polyimide nanocomposites for low earth orbit space applications

Composites Part B Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.03.029 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 77 ◽

pp. 215-222 ◽

Cited By ~ 33

Author(s):

Mei Lv ◽

Qihua Wang ◽

Tingmei Wang ◽

Yongmin Liang

Keyword(s):

Atomic Oxygen ◽

Orbit Space ◽

Tribological Performance ◽

Low Earth Orbit ◽

Earth Orbit ◽

Space Applications ◽

Oxygen Exposure ◽

Atomic Oxygen Exposure

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Effect of low earth orbit atomic oxygen exposure on epoxy functionalized siloxanes

Journal of Applied Polymer Science ◽

10.1002/app.1995.070571011 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 57 (10) ◽

pp. 1251-1259 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

J. W. Connell ◽

J. V. Crivello ◽

D. Bi

Keyword(s):

Atomic Oxygen ◽

Low Earth Orbit ◽

Earth Orbit ◽

Oxygen Exposure ◽

Atomic Oxygen Exposure

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Effects of atomic oxygen on epoxy-based shape memory polymer in low earth orbit

Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures ◽

10.1177/1045389x17730915 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 29 (6) ◽

pp. 1081-1087 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Qiao Tan ◽

Fengfeng Li ◽

Liwu Liu ◽

Hetao Chu ◽

Yanju Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Shape Memory ◽

Atomic Oxygen ◽

Shape Memory Polymer ◽

Mechanical Tests ◽

Low Earth Orbit ◽

Earth Orbit ◽

Oxygen Exposure ◽

Static Mechanical ◽

Atomic Oxygen Erosion ◽

Atomic Oxygen Exposure

Atomic oxygen is a dominant component of the low earth orbit and can erode most spacecraft polymeric material. In this article, the atomic oxygen erosion resistance tests of an epoxy-based shape memory polymer are carried out in a ground-based atomic oxygen simulator with a vacuum space chamber. The samples, before and after the atomic oxygen exposure, are compared in appearance, surface morphology, mass, main component, dynamical and static mechanical properties, and shape memory properties. The atomic oxygen exposure causes oxidization reaction of the material, which leads to surface roughen and mass loss, while the shape memory polymer main components remain same. The results of dynamical and static mechanical tests indicate that the atomic oxygen exposure has little effect on the storage modulus and glassy transition temperature (Tg), whereas the elongation, elastic modulus, tensile strength, and yield strength decrease since the atomic oxygen exposure gives rise to tiny cracks. The shape memory property has rarely changed since the atomic oxygen erosion is mainly located near the surface of the sample.

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Atomic Oxygen Treatment and Its Effect on a Variety of Artist's Media

MRS Proceedings ◽

10.1557/proc-852-oo2.6 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 852 ◽

Author(s):

Sharon K.R. Miller ◽

Bruce A. Banks ◽

Deborah L. Waters

Keyword(s):

Atomic Oxygen ◽

Low Earth Orbit ◽

Earth Orbit ◽

Treatment Technique ◽

Treatment Results ◽

Art Restoration ◽

Oxygen Treatment ◽

Exposure Testing ◽

Environmental Simulation ◽

Atomic Oxygen Exposure

ABSTRACTAtomic oxygen treatment has been investigated as an unconventional option for art restoration where conventional methods have not been effective. Exposure of surfaces to atomic oxygen was first performed to investigate the durability of materials in the low Earth orbit environment of space. The use of the ground based environmental simulation chambers, developed for atomic oxygen exposure testing, has been investigated in collaboration with conservators at a variety of institutions, as a method to clean the surfaces of works of art. The atomic oxygen treatment technique has been evaluated as a method to remove soot and char from the surface of oil paint (both varnished and unvarnished), watercolors, acrylic paint, and fabric as well as the removal of graffiti and other marks from surfaces which are too porous to lend themselves to conventional solvent removal techniques. This paper will discuss the treatment of these surfaces giving an example of each and a discussion of the treatment results.

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