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The performance of selected polymeric materials exposed to low earth orbit
Author(s) -
Young Philip R.,
Slemp Wayne S.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
polymers for advanced technologies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.61
H-Index - 90
eISSN - 1099-1581
pISSN - 1042-7147
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1581(199801)9:1<20::aid-pat729>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - low earth orbit , materials science , spacecraft , ultraviolet , contamination , degradation (telecommunications) , astrobiology , aerospace engineering , optoelectronics , satellite , computer science , physics , telecommunications , engineering , biology , ecology
The behavior of several polymeric materials given various exposures in low Earth orbit was characterized by a number of analytical techniques including ultraviolet–visible and infrared spectroscopy, thermal analyses, selected microscopies, and solution property measurements. The materials were particularly susceptible to atomic oxygen‐induced erosion, ultraviolet‐induced degradation, and spacecraft‐induced contamination. While no change was noted in glass transition temperature, various molecular weight parameters did change with exposure. The intent of the research is to enhance our funda‐ mental understanding of space environmental effects on polymeric materials and benefit our ability to predict and improve their performance in selected applications. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.