scholarly journals Property changes in materials due to atomic oxygen in the low Earth orbit

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aki Goto ◽  
Kaori Umeda ◽  
Kazuki Yukumatsu ◽  
Yugo Kimoto
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Surface Reactions ◽  
Ccd Camera ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Polyimide Film ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Exposure Experiment

AbstractWe expect satellites at altitude below 300 km, very low Earth orbit (VLEO), making observations of the Earth at optical wavelength with increasingly higher resolution. The density of atomic oxygen (AO) at VLEO is significantly higher than that at LEO; severe degradation of spacecraft materials (polymers) due to the high-flux AO is a serious concern. To clarify VLEO environmental effects on spacecraft materials, we designed the Material Degradation Monitor (MDM) and MDM2 missions. The MDM is a material exposure experiment onboard the Super Low-Altitude Test Satellite (SLATS). It aims to understand reactions and degradation of polymeric materials depending on AO fluence in VLEO. In the MDM, samples of spacecraft material were exposed at altitude of 160–560 km; their degradation behaviors were observed optically by a CCD camera for 1.8 years. The MDM2 is a material exposure experiment onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and aims to correctly understand surface reactions and degradation of the same samples used in the MDM at a given AO fluence. In the MDM2, the samples were exposed at altitude of 400 km for 1 year and then returned to Earth for analysis. Based on the results from both missions, we will help in the molecular design of more-durable materials, and establish design standards for future VLEO satellites. This study aims to quantitatively understand the surface reactions and degradation of the 11 types of thermal control materials exposed on the ISS in the MDM2. Five types of multilayer insulation (MLI) films (three types of Si-containing AO protective materials (a silsesquioxane-(SQ-) containing coated polyimide film, two types of polysiloxane-block polyimide (BSF-30) films), an ITO-coated polyimide film, and a Beta Cloth), and flexible optical solar reflectors (flexible OSRs) were found to have a high durability against erosion by AO. This was determined by measuring their loss of mass and thermo-optical properties. The Ag/Inconel layer’s discoloration and peeling were observed for three types of FEP/Ag films as determined by the Ag layer’s oxidation by AO. Also, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that reactions of the Si-containing materials, the SQ-coated polyimide film and the BSF-30 film, form a layer of silica that protects against AO. Even though the concentration of Si in the SQ-coating is the same or greater than in the BSF-30 film, the amount of the SQ-coating that reacted was larger than that of the BSF-30 film under the same AO fluence. Moreover, the effective ability of the UV-shielding coating, composed of ITO and CeO2 coated onto one of the BSF-30 films, was demonstrated by UV–Vis spectrometry. Its sufficient AO protection was confirmed by mass measurements, XPS analyses, and FE-SEM observations.

scholarly journals Self-Healing Anti-Atomic-Oxygen Phosphorus-Containing Polyimide Film via Molecular Level Incorporation of Nanocage Trisilanolphenyl POSS: Preparation and Characterization

Polymers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bohan Wu ◽  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Dayong Yang ◽  
Yanbin Yang ◽  
Qiang Yu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Composite Films ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Polyimide Film ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Nanocomposite Films ◽  
Self Healing ◽  
Passivation Layers ◽  
Pyromellitic Anhydride ◽  
Oligomeric Silsesquioxane

Protection of polymeric materials from the atomic oxygen erosion in low-earth orbit spacecrafts has become one of the most important research topics in aerospace science. In the current research, a series of novel organic/inorganic nanocomposite films with excellent atomic oxygen (AO) resistance are prepared from the phosphorous-containing polyimide (FPI) matrix and trisilanolphenyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (TSP–POSS) additive. The PI matrix derived from 2,2’-bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)hexafluoropropane dianhydride (6FDA) and 2,5-bis[(4-amino- phenoxy)phenyl]diphenylphosphine oxide (BADPO) itself possesses the self-healing feature in AO environment. Incorporation of TSP–POSS further enhances the AO resistance of the FPI/TSP composite films via a Si–P synergic effect. Meanwhile, the thermal stability of the pristine film is maintained. The FPI-25 composite film with a 25 wt % loading of TSP–POSS in the FPI matrix exhibits an AO erosion yield of 3.1 × 10−26 cm3/atom after an AO attack of 4.0 × 1020 atoms/cm2, which is only 5.8% and 1.0% that of pristine FPI-0 film (6FDA-BADPO) and PI-ref (PMDA-ODA) film derived from 1,2,4,5-pyromellitic anhydride (PMDA) and 4,4’-oxydianline (ODA), respectively. Inert phosphorous and silicon-containing passivation layers are observed at the surface of films during AO exposure.

Effects of Atomic Oxygen Irradiation on PDMS/POSS Hybrid Films in Low Earth Orbit Environment

2011 ◽  
Vol 239-242 ◽  
pp. 1368-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Mi Song ◽  
Shu Wang Duo ◽  
Ting Zhi Liu
Keyword(s):  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Orbit Space ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Hybrid Coating ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Hybrid Films ◽  
Polyimide Films

In order to improve the atomic oxygen (AO) erosion resistance of polyimide films in low earth orbit space environment, a type PDMS/POSS hybrid coating on polyimide substrate was prepared based on a silanol terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH) and Octakis(trimethylsiloxy)octaprismosilsesquioxane (Q8[Si(CH3)3]8) by copolymerizing process in DMAc solution. The atomic oxygen exposure tests were carried out using a ground-based atomic oxygen simulation facility. The mass loss, surface morphology and surface chemical compositions of PDMS/POSS hybrid films before and after exposure to incremental AO flux were investigated by using microbalance and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. The data indicated that a silica-rich layer was formed on the surface of the hybrid coating when the coating is exposed to AO flux, which could provide a protective barrier on the surface preventing further degradation of the polymer during extended exposure to AO and obviously improved the AO resistance of polyimide films.

Monte Carlo Modeling of Atomic Oxygen Interaction with Protected Polymers for Projection of Materials Durability in Low Earth Orbit

1992 ◽  
Vol 278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce A. Banks ◽  
Bruce M. Auer ◽  
Sharon K. Rutledge ◽  
Linda Gebauer ◽  
Edward A. Sechkar
Keyword(s):  
Monte Carlo ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Protective Coatings ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Textured Surfaces ◽  
Photovoltaic Array ◽  
Defect Sites ◽  
Oxygen Interaction

AbstractAtomic oxygen in low Earth orbit (LEO) readily attacks and oxidizes exposed spacecraft polymeric materials such as polyimide Kapton photovoltaic array blankets. The application of thin film silicon dioxide protective coatings can greatly extend the useful life of such materials in LEO. A Monte Carlo computational model has been developed which simulates atomic oxygen interaction with polymeric and protective coating materials for both ground laboratory and in-space experiments, allowing the determination of the geometrical shape of atomic oxygen attack of protected polymeric materials at defect sites in protective coatings. Modeling of attack of unprotected carbon-carbon composite materials predicts textured surfaces suitable for high emittance radiators. Results for fiberglass composites indicate loss of the matrix polymer leading to friable fibers. The computational modeling to project in-space performance based on ground laboratory testing predicts mass loss per fluence in space to be approximately one third that observed in plasma ashers.

POSS enhanced 3D graphene - Polyimide film for atomic oxygen endurance in Low Earth Orbit space environment

Polymer ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 191 ◽  
pp. 122270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ranjana Shivakumar ◽  
Asaf Bolker ◽  
Siu Hon Tsang ◽  
Nurit Atar ◽  
Ronen Verker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Orbit Space ◽  
Polyimide Film ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
3D Graphene

Atomic Oxygen Effects of Polyimide/Silica Hybrid Films in Low Earth Orbit Environment

2010 ◽  
Vol 177 ◽  
pp. 686-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Wang Duo ◽  
Mi Mi Song ◽  
Ying Luo ◽  
Ting Zhi Liu ◽  
Wei Min Gao
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Hybrid Film ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Polyimide Film ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Hybrid Films ◽  
Oxygen Effects ◽  
Sol Gel Process ◽  
Silica Hybrid

To improve AO resistance of polyimide, a type of polyimide/silica (PI/SiO2) hybrid film was prepared by the sol-gel process. The coupling agent p-aminophenyltrimeth- oxysilane (APTMOS) was chosen to enhance the compatibility between the polyimide (PI) and silica (SiO2). AO resistance of the PI/SiO2 hybrid films were tested in the ground-based simulation AO facility. The erosion yield of the films was 4.7×10-26 cm3/atom, decreased by two orders of magnitude compared with the value of 3.0×10-24 cm3/atom of the polyimide film. Results from FTIR, XPS, AFM on AO treated polyimide/silica hybrid films indicate the formation of a passivating inorganic SiO2 layer. The layer significantly retards the penetration of oxygen atoms, preventing further degradation of the polymer in the bulk. The addition of SiO2 in polyimide does not significantly alter the optical properties of polyimide during AO exposure.

scholarly journals The Effect of Low Earth Orbit Atomic Oxygen Exposure on Phenylphosphine Oxide-Containing Polymers

2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W Connell
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Cooperative Effort ◽  
Flight Experiment ◽  
Oxygen Exposure ◽  
Atomic Oxygen Exposure ◽  
Phenylphosphine Oxide

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.

Atomic oxygen effect on physical properties of spacecraft materials in low earth orbit

1989 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATSUMI SONODA ◽  
TAKAO NISHIKAWA ◽  
KOUICHIROU NAKANISHI
Keyword(s):  
Physical Properties ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Oxygen Effect ◽  
Earth Orbit

Concentration of atomic oxygen in low earth orbit and in the laboratory for use in high quality oxide thin film growth

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Schultz ◽  
K. Eipers-Smith ◽  
K. Waters ◽  
S. Schultz ◽  
M. Sterling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Film Growth ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Thin Film Growth ◽  
Oxide Thin Film ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
High Quality
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