NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Effect of an oxygen plasma on the physical and chemical properties of several fluids for the Liquid Droplet RadiatorThe Liquid Droplet Radiator is one of several radiator systems currently under investigation by NASA Lewis Research Center. It involves the direct exposure of the radiator working fluid to the space environment. An area of concern is the potential harmful effects of the low-Earth-orbit atomic oxygen environment on the radiator working fluid. To address this issue, seven candidate fluids were exposed to an oxygen plasma environment in a laboratory plasma asher. The fluids studied included Dow Corning 705 Diffusion Pump Fluid, polymethylphenylsiloxane and polydimethylsiloxane, both of which are experimental fluids made by Dow Corning, Fomblin Z25, made by Montedison, and three fluids from the Krytox family of fluids, Krytox 143AB, 1502, and 16256, which are made by DuPont. The fluids were characterized by noting changes in visual appearance, physical state, mass, and infrared spectra. Of the fluids tested, the Fomblin and the three Krytoxes were the least affected by the oxygen plasma. The only effect noted was a change in mass, which was most likely due to an oxygen-catalyzed depolymerization of the fluid molecule.
Document ID
19870035127
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Gulino, Daniel A.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Coles, Carolyn E.
(NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
August 13, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1987
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
AIAA PAPER 87-0080
Accession Number
87A22401
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available