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Monte Carlo Modeling of Atomic Oxygen Interaction with Protected Polymers for Projection of Materials Durability in Low Earth Orbit

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

Bruce A. Banks ,
Bruce M. Auer ,
Sharon K. Rutledge ,
Linda Gebauer  and
Edward A. Sechkar
Bruce A. Banks
Affiliation:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Bruce M. Auer
Affiliation:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Sharon K. Rutledge
Affiliation:
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio 44135
Linda Gebauer
Affiliation:
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Edward A. Sechkar
Affiliation:
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
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Abstract

Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit (LEO) readily attacks and oxidizes exposed spacecraft polymeric materials such as polyimide Kapton photovoltaic array blankets. The application of thin film silicon dioxide protective coatings can greatly extend the useful life of such materials in LEO. A Monte Carlo computational model has been developed which simulates atomic oxygen interaction with polymeric and protective coating materials for both ground laboratory and in-space experiments, allowing the determination of the geometrical shape of atomic oxygen attack of protected polymeric materials at defect sites in protective coatings. Modeling of attack of unprotected carbon-carbon composite materials predicts textured surfaces suitable for high emittance radiators. Results for fiberglass composites indicate loss of the matrix polymer leading to friable fibers. The computational modeling to project in-space performance based on ground laboratory testing predicts mass loss per fluence in space to be approximately one third that observed in plasma ashers.

Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 278: Symposium W – Computational Methods in Materials Science , 1992 , 41
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 1992

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References

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