Atomic-oxygen-resistant polymer for use in the low earth orbit

An oxygen plasma reactor operating at low pressure (3*10/sup -2/ torr) was used to reproduce within laboratory samples of an experimental atomic-oxygen-resistant polymide coating a degradation morphology and material mass loss similar to that obtained in low earth orbit. The coating, Kapton AOR92-1, was developed to be used as a flexible Kapton solar array blanket. Material erosion rates were measured as a function of flux and fluence and preliminary mechanical property data were obtained. The results indicate the material's suitability for the intended application. It demonstrated an erosion rate two orders of magnitude better than Kapton and is amenable to large-scale production.<
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