Atomic oxygen effects on SiO(x) coated Kapton for photovoltaic arrays in low earth orbitCommercially applied SiOx was evaluated as a protective coating for the polyimide Kapton solar array blankets for Space Station Freedom. Three different rolls of coated material were tested in a plasma asher to determine their durability to attack by atomic oxygen. Mass loss data indicated that all of the coatings tested would structurally survive for 15 years in LEO (low earth orbit), except for one which had several uncoated lines across the sample which were caused by ridgelanes in the Kapton. It appears that the size rather than number of defects alone effects the mass loss the most. Careful handling of the material after coating and during processing may be critical for array survival.
Document ID
19920070587
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Rutledge, Sharon K. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland OH, United States)
Olle, Raymond M. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Cooper, Jill M. (Cleveland, State University OH, United States)