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Materials selection for long life in low earth orbit - A critical evaluation of atomic oxygen testing with thermal atom systemsThe use of thermal atom test methods as a materials selection and screening technique for low-earth orbit (LEO) spacecraft is critically evaluated. The chemistry and physics of thermal atom environments are compared with the LEO environment. The relative reactivities of a number of materials determined in thermal atom environments are compared with those observed in LEO and in high-quality LEO simulations. Reaction efficiencies (cu cm/atom) measured in a new type of thermal atom apparatus are one-thousandth to one ten-thousandth those observed in LEO, and many materials showing nearly identical reactivities in LEO show relative reactivities differing by as much as a factor of eight in thermal atom systems. A simple phenomenological kinetic model for the reaction of oxygen atoms with organic materials can be used to explain the differences in reactivity in different environments. Certain speciic thermal atom test environments can be used as reliable materials screening tools.
Document ID
19900047869
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Koontz, S. L.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Albyn, K.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Leger, L.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: IES, Journal
Volume: 33
ISSN: 0022-0906
Subject Category
Chemistry And Materials (General)
Accession Number
90A34924
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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