Observation of decay process of charge distribution in electron beam irradiated polymers during elevating temperature

Decay processes of accumulated charge in e-beam irradiated polymers during elevated temperature are observed using pulsed electro-acoustic measurement system. Since the polymeric materials have many superior properties such as light-weight, good mechanical strength, high flexibility and low cost, they are inevitable materials for spacecrafts. In space environment, however, the polymers sometimes have serious damage by irradiation of high energy charged particles. When the polymers of the spacecraft are irradiated by high energy charged particles, some of injected charges accumulate and remain for long time in the bulk of the polymers. Since the bulk charges sometimes cause the degradation or breakdown of the materials, the investigation of the charging and the decay processes in polymeric materials under change of temperature is important to decide an adequate material for the spacecrafts. By measuring the charge behavior in e-beam irradiated polymer, such as polyimide or polystyrene, it is found that the various accumulation and decay patterns are observed in each material. The results seem to be useful and be helpful to progress in the reliability of the polymers for the spacecraft.