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Laboratory degradation of Kapton in a low energy oxygen ion beamAn atomic oxygen ion beam, accelerated from a tunable microwave resonant cavity, was used at Lewis Research Center to bombard samples of the widely used polyimide Kapton. The Kapton experienced degradation and mass loss at high rates, which may be comparable to those found in Space Shuttle operations if the activation energy supplied by the beam enabled surface reactions with the ambient oxygen. The simulation reproduced the directionality (ram-wake dependence) of the degradation, the change in optical properties of the degraded materials, and the structure seen in scanning electron micrographs of samples returned on the Shuttle Trails with a substituted argon ion beam produced no rapid degradation. Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDAX) showed significant surface composition changes in all bombarded samples. Mass loss rates and surface composition changes are discussed in terms of the possible oxidation chemistry of the interaction. Finally, the question of how the harmful degradation of materials in low Earth orbit can be minimized is addressed.
Document ID
19840010242
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ferguson, D. C. (NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland, OH, United States)
Date Acquired
September 4, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1984
Subject Category
Spacecraft Design, Testing And Performance
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TM-83530
E-1841
NAS 1.15:83530
Meeting Information
Meeting: AIAA Shuttle Environment and Operations Meeting
Location: Washington, DC
Country: United States
Start Date: October 31, 1983
End Date: November 2, 1983
Accession Number
84N18310
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 506-55-72
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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