Atomic oxygen-induced polymer degradation phenomena in simulated LEO space environments: How do polymers react in a complicated space environment?

2008 ◽  
Vol 62 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahito Tagawa ◽  
Kumiko Yokota
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Polymer Degradation ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Space Environments

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.

scholarly journals Investigation of the Tribological Performances of Graphene and WS2 Nanosheets as Additives for Perfluoroalkylpolyethers Under Simulated Space Environment

2021 ◽  
Vol 69 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Ren ◽  
Kuiliang Gong ◽  
Gaiqing Zhao ◽  
Wenjing Lou ◽  
Xinhu Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amorphous Carbon ◽  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Friction And Wear ◽  
Surface Oxidation ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Wear Reduction ◽  
Ws2 Nanosheets ◽  
Effects Of Irradiation On

AbstractThe tribological performances of perfluoroalkylpolyethers (PFPE) with graphene (Gr), WS2, and the mixture of Gr and WS2 (Gr + WS2) before and after ultraviolet (UV), atomic oxygen (AO), and proton (Pr) irradiations were investigated. The composition and structure of PFPE, Gr, WS2, and Gr + WS2 were also analyzed to understand the effects of irradiation on the tribological behaviors of PFPE with additives. The results indicated that serious deterioration and degradation of PFPE took place and Gr was transformed to amorphous carbon after Pr irradiation, and surface oxidation of WS2 occurred under the irradiations of AO and Pr. Moreover, compared to PFPE and PFPE additized with Gr and WS2, PFPE with the addition of Gr + WS2 exhibited excellent friction and wear reduction before and after UV and AO irradiations. Graphical Abstract

Epilogue

2020 ◽  
pp. 206-210
Author(s):  
James S.J. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Space Environment ◽  
Opportunity Costs ◽  
Scientific Exploration ◽  
The Future ◽  
Future Value ◽  
Human Habitation ◽  
A Priority ◽  
Space Environments ◽  
The Cost

This concluding chapter argues that scientific exploration of the space environment should remain a priority even if space settlements are established, and even if technological breakthroughs decrease the cost of spaceflight enough to increase spaceflight activities by orders of magnitude. It addresses the enduring need to engage in scientific examination in order to establish the viability of space environments for human habitation. It also reaffirms the value of scientific exploration, knowledge, and understanding—which will only become more significant in space societies, if they are ever established. The Epilogue concludes by addressing the possible development of revolutionary technologies, the opportunity costs associated with prioritizing scientific exploration, and the future value of scientific exploration, knowledge, and understanding in space.

scholarly journals Evaluation of piezoelectric PVDF polymers for use in space environments. II. Effects of atomic oxygen and vacuum UV exposure

2005 ◽  
Vol 43 (18) ◽  
pp. 2503-2513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim R. Dargaville ◽  
Mathew Celina ◽  
Jeffrey W. Martin ◽  
Bruce A. Banks
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Uv Exposure ◽  
Space Environments ◽  
Vacuum Uv

Mechanistic Studies of Atomic Oxygen Reactions with Polymers and Combined Effects with Vacuum Ultraviolet Light

MRS Bulletin ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masahito Tagawa ◽  
Timothy K. Minton
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Vacuum Ultraviolet ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Synergistic Effects ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Combined Effects ◽  
The Individual

AbstractThis article focuses on mechanistic aspects of hyperthermal atomic oxygen reactions with polymers, which are the major contributor to material degradation in low Earth orbit. Due to the importance of well-controlled experiments in the understanding of the reaction mechanisms, ground-based experimental results obtained by a hyperthermal atomic oxygen beam generated by laser detonation facilities are mainly surveyed. Combined effects of atomic oxygen and vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light on fluorinated polymers are also described. Such combined effects of hyperthermal atomic oxygen and VUV light are important not only from a fundamental point of view but also for engineering purposes (i.e., methodology for ground-based space environmental simulation). The VUV-sensitive polymers, poly(methyl methacrylate), and Teflon fluorinated ethylene-propylene do not show significant synergistic effects. Instead, the effect of combining atomic oxygen and VUV light produces erosion of the polymer that is the sum of the erosion caused by atomic oxygen and UV light acting individually. The experimental results suggest that material erosion in a complicated space environment may be quantitatively predicted if the erosion yields caused by the individual action of atomic oxygen and VUV light are known.

End of Life and Beginning of Life Thermal Analysis of a Micro Satellite

2015 ◽  
Vol 798 ◽  
pp. 551-555
Author(s):  
Mustafa Turkmenoglu
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Analysis ◽  
Thermal Degradation ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Satellite Orbit ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Bottom Surface ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Space Environments

Satellites with passive thermal control system use thermal coatings, secondary and first surface mirrors and paints to maintain the temperatures of their electronic equipment within operating temperatures. Satellite coatings are exposed to harsh space environments like ultraviolet radiation (UV) and atomic oxygen (AO) that cause thermal degradation. As nature of the space environment, degradation of the surface paints and coatings cause increase in temperatures of the equipment in time. Thermal designer must consider the thermal degradation of the coatings and paints and optimize the radiator sizes of the satellite at Beginning of Life (BOL) and End of Life (EOL) of the satellite in order to maintain the temperatures of equipment within their safe operation limits. For this analysis, a micro-class satellite using passive thermal control with surface paints and interface conductance within each equipment has been studied. The satellite top surface (+Z) faces the earth and bottom surface (-Z) faces deep space. The lateral sides of the satellite are covered with honeycomb solar panels and top and bottom surfaces are covered with white paint which act as satellite radiator. The satellite orbit has been considered as 700 km Sun-Synchronous Low Earth Orbit. In this analysis BOL and EOL thermo optical properties have been used to predict the satellite temperatures before and after degradation of paints. Thermal analysis have been performed and predicted temperatures obtained by using THERMICA thermal analysis software.

Performance of Elastomeric Silicones in Ablative and Space Environments

1966 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 1247-1257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clyde L. Whipple ◽  
John A. Thorne
Keyword(s):  
High Vacuum ◽  
Thermal Control ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Environmental Extremes ◽  
Temperature Ranges ◽  
Space Environments ◽  
Thermal Control Coatings

Abstract Elastomeric silicones are among the best materials available for many ablative and space applications. In ablative applications, these materials protect launching equipment, safeguard various parts of vehicles and spacecraft during flight, and shield re-entering spacecraft. Generally, elastomeric silicones are used where ablative conditions involve low to moderate heat fluxes and shear forces. Ablative characteristics of materials can vary widely depending on polymer type, fillers, and applications techniques, and no one elastomeric silicone will perform in a wide range of ablative missions. A good knowledge of the ablative characteristics of silicone materials is required to select the best candidates for a given application. In the space environment, silicones are often used for seals, thermal control coatings, potting materials, and other applications because they perform well over wide temperature ranges, and because they are inherently stable to high-vacuum and ultraviolet conditions. Data given in this paper illustrate that silicones show little weight loss or loss of properties on exposure to space environmental extremes. Furthermore, these losses can be made almost negligible by proper conditioning of the finished elastomer.

Space Environment Effect on Fluorinated Polymers

2003 ◽  
Vol 792 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Chipara ◽  
D. L. Edwards ◽  
J. Zaleski ◽  
B. Hoang ◽  
B. Przewoski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atomic Oxygen ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Space Environment ◽  
Fluorinated Polymers ◽  
Space Applications ◽  
Environment Effect ◽  
Low Altitude ◽  
Low Earth Orbits ◽  
Degradation Of Materials ◽  
Earth Orbits

ABSTRACTThe effects of the space environment on polytetrafluorethylene and some fluorinated polymers, copolymers, and blends are critically reviewed. It is shown that in low altitude orbits such as Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit the presence of both ionizing radiation and atomic oxygen triggers a synergetic degradation of materials based on fluorinated polymers. The behavior is due to the lability of the in-chain alkyl radical to oxygen attack. It is concluded that fluorinated polymers should not be used as materials for space applications, as long as the mission implies low Earth orbits.

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