Materials resistance to low earth orbit environmental effectsA number of flexible polymeric materials have been considered as condidates for protective coatings on Kapton film. These coatings have been tested under a variety of environments, each of which simulates one or more aspects of the low earth orbit space environment. Mass loss rates vs fluence and temperatue, optical properties, and surface characteristics under exposure to the various environments will be presented. Kinetics data on Kapton and other materials is interpreted in terms of bond strengths and relative thermodynamic stabilities of potential products. Activation energy for degradation of Kapton by oxygen atoms was determined to be 30 + or - 5 kJ/mol. Materials tested include silicones, fluorosilicones, fluorophosphazenes, fluorocarbons, and hydrocarbons.
Document ID
19900044524
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Pippin, H. G. (Boeing Aerospace Co. Seattle, WA, United States)
Torre, L. P. (Boeing Aerospace Seattle, WA, United States)
Linton, R. G. (Boeing Aerospace Co. Seattle, WA, United States)
Whitaker, A. F. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Meeting Information
Meeting: International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition