The effects of RF plasma ashing on zinc orthotitanate/potassium silicate thermal control coatingsSamples of YB-71, a white thermal control coating composed of zinc orthotitanate pigment in a potassium silicate binder, were exposed in air plasma and in oxygen plasma to determine optical property and surface chemistry changes. Results show that YB-71 undergoes a significant reflectance decrease upon exposure to the simulated LEO atomic oxygen environment provided by an air plasma asher. YB-71 samples exposed to the same effective fluence in oxygen plasma, or in a UV screening Faraday cage in air or oxygen, do not undergo as severe reflectance decreases as the samples exposed in the air plasma asher environment. The UV and VUV radiation present in the plasma ashers affects the YB-71 degradation. It is noted that, when using plasma ashers to determine LEO degradation, it is necessary to take into account the sensitivity of the material to the synergistic effects of atomic oxygen and accelerated UV radiation.
Document ID
19920048675
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Dever, Joyce A. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Bruckner, Eric J. (Cleveland State University OH, United States)