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

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1087 ◽  
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.

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

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.

scholarly journals Accelerated Testing Method for Predicting Long-Term Properties of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Shape Memory Polymer Composites in a Low Earth Orbit Environment

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1628
Author(s):  
Joon-Hyeok Jang ◽  
Seok-Bin Hong ◽  
Jin-Gyun Kim ◽  
Nam-Seo Goo ◽  
Woong-Ryeol Yu
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Shape Memory ◽  
Uv Light ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Shape Memory Polymer ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Earth Orbit ◽  
Accelerated Tests ◽  
Harsh Conditions

Carbon fiber-reinforced shape memory polymer composites (CF-SMPCs) have been researched as a potential next-generation material for aerospace application, due to their lightweight and self-deployable properties. To this end, the mechanical properties of CF-SMPCs, including long-term durability, must be characterized in aerospace environments. In this study, the storage modulus of CF-SMPCs was investigated in a simulation of a low Earth orbit (LEO) environment involving three harsh conditions: high vacuum, and atomic oxygen (AO) and ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. CF-SMPCs in a LEO environment degrade over time due to temperature extremes and matrix erosion by AO. The opposite behavior was observed in our experiments, due to crosslinking induced by AO and UV light exposure in the LEO environment. The effects of the three harsh conditions on the properties of CF-SMPCs were characterized individually, using accelerated tests conducted at various temperatures in a space environment chamber, and were then combined using the time–temperature superposition principle. The long-term mechanical behavior of CF-SMPCs in the LEO environment was then predicted by the linear product of the shift factors obtained from the three accelerated tests. The results also indicated only a slight change in the shape memory performance of the CF-SMPCs.

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