Durability of polymeric materials in space : Application of scanning thermal microscopy
article
In this work, a new method, the scanning thermal microscopy method, is applied to study the durability of polymeric materials for space applications. The method was applied to study ground-tested as well as space-retrieved materials. Space-grade silicones, high-temperature polyimides, and the well-known second-surface-mirror-material, fluorinated ethylene propylene, were analyzed as materials. It is shown that the method is particularly suitable for the fluorinated ethylene propylene material, and subtle differences of the top surface layer caused by different exposure conditions (solar ultraviolet, vacuum ultraviolet radiation, thermal aging, etc.) can be revealed. The technique proves to be very suitable for the study of the surface-degradation effects of materials exposed to space as well as to a simulated space environment. Copyright © 2008 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.
Topics
Chemical sensorsDurabilityEthyleneMaterialsPolyimidesPolymersPropyleneScanningSiliconesSpace applicationsSurface treatmentThermal agingUltraviolet radiationDegradation effectsExposure conditionsFluorinated ethylene propylenesHigh temperaturesPolymeric materialsScanning thermal microscopiesSpace environmentsTop surfacesVacuum ultra violet radiationsSurfaces
TNO Identifier
241318
Source
Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets, 46(1), pp. 45-50.
Pages
45-50
Files
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