scholarly journals Influence of POSS Type on the Space Environment Durability of Epoxy-POSS Nanocomposites

Nanomaterials ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
Avraham I. Bram ◽  
Irina Gouzman ◽  
Asaf Bolker ◽  
Nurit Atar ◽  
Noam Eliaz ◽  
...  

In order to use polymers at low Earth orbit (LEO) environment, they must be protected against atomic oxygen (AO) erosion. A promising protection strategy is to incorporate polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) molecules into the polymer backbone. In this study, the space durability of epoxy-POSS (EPOSS) nanocomposites was investigated. Two types of POSS molecules were incorporated separately—amine-based and epoxy-based. The outgassing properties of the EPOSS, in terms of total mass loss, collected volatile condensable material, and water vapor regain were measured as a function of POSS type and content. The AO durability was studied using a ground-based AO simulation system. Surface compositions of EPOSS were studied using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was found that with respect to the outgassing properties, only some of the EPOSS compositions were suitable for the ultrahigh vacuum space environment, and that the POSS type and content had a strong effect on their outgassing properties. Regardless of the POSS type being used, the AO durability improved significantly. This improvement is attributed to the formation of a self-passivated AO durable SiO2 layer, and demonstrates the potential use of EPOSS as a qualified nanocomposite for space applications.

2011 ◽  
Vol 492 ◽  
pp. 521-524 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shu Wang Duo ◽  
Mi Mi Song ◽  
Ting Zhi Liu ◽  
Chang Yuan Hu ◽  
Mei Shuan Li

A novel polyimide (PI) hybrid nanocomposite containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) had been prepared by copolymerization of octa(aminophenyl)silsesquioxane (OAP-POSS), 4,4’ -oxydianiline (ODA), and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA). The AO resistance of these POSS/PI hybrid films was tested in the ground-based AO simulation facility. Exposed and unexposed surfaces have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and FTIR. The XPS data indicate that the carbon content of the near-surface region is decreased from 63.6 to 19.3 at% after AO exposure. The oxygen and silicon concentrations in the near-surface region increase after AO exposure. The data reveal the formation of a passive inorganic SiO2 layer on the POSS/PI hybrid films during the AO exposure, which serves as a protective barrier preventing further degradation of the underlying polymer with increased exposure to the AO flux. SEM images showed that the surface of the 10 wt% POSS/PI became much less rough than that of the pristine polyimide. The AO resistance of the POSS/PI hybrid films is up to several tenfold than that of the pristine polyimide.


2003 ◽  
Vol 792 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Chipara ◽  
D. L. Edwards ◽  
J. Zaleski ◽  
B. Hoang ◽  
B. Przewoski ◽  
...  

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.


2011 ◽  
Vol 239-242 ◽  
pp. 1368-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mi Mi Song ◽  
Shu Wang Duo ◽  
Ting Zhi Liu

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 681-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Zhao ◽  
Jinmei He ◽  
Nan Zheng ◽  
Yudong Huang

Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was grafted onto the surface of carbon fibres (CFs) to fabricate carbon fibre/epoxy (CF/EP) composites with improved interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and atomic oxygen (AO) erosion resistance. POSS-CF was prepared by reacting amine groups on the pretreated CF surface with the POSS to form a continuous uniform layer of siloxane oligomers. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrated that POSS was successfully grafted onto the CF surface. The ILSS and AO erosion resistance of the POSS-treated CFs and CF-EP interface were improved because a SiO2 passivation layer formed with AO exposure, especially with POSS-EP0409. This is an effective solution for enhancing the interfacial bonding force and interfacial AO erosion resistance for the low-Earth orbit environment.


2000 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
John W Connell

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.


Molecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (18) ◽  
pp. 4203
Author(s):  
Avraham I. Bram ◽  
Irina Gouzman ◽  
Asaf Bolker ◽  
Noam Eliaz ◽  
Ronen Verker

Thermally activated shape memory polymers (SMPs) can memorize a temporary shape at low temperature and return to their permanent shape at higher temperature. These materials can be used for light and compact space deployment mechanisms. The control of transition temperature and thermomechanical properties of epoxy-based SMPs can be done using functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) additives, which are also known to improve the durability to atomic oxygen in the space environment. In this study, the influence of varying amounts of two types of POSS added to epoxy-based SMPs on the shape memory effect (SME) were studied. The first type contained amine groups, whereas the second type contained epoxide groups. The curing conditions were defined using differential scanning calorimetry and glass transition temperature (Tg) measurements. Thermomechanical and SME properties were characterized using dynamic mechanical analysis. It was found that SMPs containing amine-based POSS show higher Tg, better shape fixity and faster recovery speed, while SMPs containing epoxide-based POSS have higher crosslinking density and show superior thermomechanical properties above Tg. This work demonstrates how the Tg and SME of SMPs can be controlled by the type and amount of POSS in an epoxy-based SMP nanocomposite for future space applications.


2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 969-976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wang Chunbo ◽  
Jiang Haifu ◽  
Tian Dongbo ◽  
Qin Wei ◽  
Chen Chunhai ◽  
...  

The differences among polymers containing silicon or phosphorus, 20% polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane polyimide (20%-POSS-PI), 30% polysiloxane- block-polyimides (30%-PSX-PI), poly(siloxane imide) homopolymer (PSX-PI), and arylene ether phosphine oxide homopolymer (P-PPO), on mass loss, erosion yield, and surface morphology were elucidated. The tolerance against atomic oxygen (AO) was improved versus Kapton®H after introducing silicon or phosphorus to the polymers. The relative order of the mass loss was PSX-PI < P-PPO < 20%-POSS-PI < 30%-PSX-PI. In contrast, the erosion yields of 30%-PSX-PI, 20%-POSS-PI, and P-PPO decreased by orders of magnitude (PSX-PI declined by about two orders). The surface of Kapton®H was seriously eroded by AO exhibiting a “carpet-like” shape, and the roughness of the surface of Kapton®H became remarkable as the AO fluence increased. PSX-PI, P-PPO, 20%-POSS-PI, and 30%-PSX-PI at an AO fluence of 5.2 × 1020 atoms/cm2 had different surface morphologies, and the relative order of the surface roughness was PSX-PI < 30%-PSX-PI < 20%-POSS-PI < P-PPO. The 30%-PSX-PI and PSX-PI had minor mass losses and a smooth surface. This kind of material might replace inorganic coatings for applications in low earth orbit.


Author(s):  
Guo-zheng Ma ◽  
Peng-fei He ◽  
Yi-wen Wang ◽  
Shu-ying Chen ◽  
Ming Liu ◽  
...  

A composite Mo–MoS2solid-lubrication film measuring approximately 2-µm thick was prepared using a two-step composite process involving magnetron sputtering of Mo film followed by low-temperature ion sulfurization. Microstructure of the said film was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and nanomechanical properties of the Mo and Mo–MoS2film were tested using a nanoindenter. The Mo–MoS2film and GCr15 substrate were irradiated by atomic oxygen with the self-developed MSTS-1 space tribometer system equipped with an atomic oxygen beam at a flux of 9 × 1019atoms/cm2. Subsequently, vacuum tribological properties of the said substrate and film were examined and compared. Results demonstrated that the Mo film possessed a smooth and dense structure with stable nanomechanical properties. Part of the elemental Mo translated into MoS2post sulfurizing, thereby forming the Mo–MoS2composite film with an alternating soft and hard structure. The Mo–MoS2film demonstrated a low and stable friction coefficient of approximately 0.15 along with only a slight wear in vacuum. The film surface could be oxidized and eroded when exposed to the highly active and energetic atomic oxygen. Post atomic oxygen erosion, the film thickness demonstrated a decrease, and small amounts of MoO3were observed on the surface. However, all structural and property changes were limited to the superficial layer. The excellent tribological performance of the film could be restored when the surface layer was removed after a certain period of sliding friction.


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