Synthesis and characterization of space-survivable POSS-Kapton-polyimides

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Synthesis and characterization of space-survivable POSS-Kapton-polyimides

Tomczak, Sandra J. / Minton, Timothy K. / Brunsvold, Amy L. / Vij, Vandana / Wright, Michael E. / Petteys, Brian J. / Guenthner, Andrew J. / Svejda, Steven A. / Mabry, Joseph M.

Abstract

Kapton is used extensively in spacecraft thermal blankets, solar arrays, and space inflatable structures. This material is chosen due to its thermal and physical properties, however it degrades severely in LEO (low Earth orbit) by AO (atomic oxygen). SiO2 coatings impart remarkable oxidation resistance to Kapton, yet imperfections in the SiO2 application process and micrometeoroid debris impact in orbit may damage the SiO2 coating and lead to Kapton erosion. POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane) is a silicon and oxygen cage-like structure surrounded by organic groups. POSS-diamine and the monomers of Kapton were polymerized and cured to form POSSPI (POSS-polyimide) films. These POSS-copolymers are self-passivating by the formation of a silica layer upon exposure to AO. Evidence of a SiO2 passivation layer has been shown by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on AO exposed 3.5 weight-%, 7.0 weight-%, and 8.75 weight-%Si8O11 MC (main chain)-POSS-PI samples with erosion yields of 3.7 percent, 0.98 percent, and 0.3 percent, respectively, of the erosion yield for Kapton H at a fluence of 8.5x10²⁰ O atoms/cm² The self-passivation of POSS-PIs has also been demonstrated by monitoring a 1 micron deep scratch in AO-exposed main-chain-POSS-PI (MC-POSS-PI) after a second exposure to AO. A study of the effect of temperature on the AO erosion of POSS-PI samples showed that although the erosion of MC-POSS-PIs increased with temperature, they erode significantly less than their no-POSS analogues at elevated temperatures. POSS-polyimides flown for 3.9 years in low Earth orbit on the Materials International Space Station Experiment (MISSE) showed dramatically increased survival relative to 0 % POSS-polyimide. These results and physical property characterization of POSS-PIs exposed to AO, evidence that POSS-PIs are a viable Kapton replacement material.

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Document information

Title :

Synthesis and characterization of space-survivable POSS-Kapton-polyimides

Additional title:

Synthese und Charakterisierung von unter Weltraumbedingungen schädigungsfreien POSS-Kapton-Polyimiden

Contributors:

Tomczak, Sandra J. (author) / Minton, Timothy K. (author) / Brunsvold, Amy L. (author) / Vij, Vandana (author) / Wright, Michael E. (author) / Petteys, Brian J. (author) / Guenthner, Andrew J. (author) / Svejda, Steven A. (author) / Mabry, Joseph M. (author)

Published in:

M&P - Coast to Coast and Around the World, SAMPE, International SAMPE Symposium and Exhibition, 2007 ; 1-14

Publication date :

2007

Size :

14 Seiten, 4 Bilder, 4 Tabellen, 29 Quellen

Type of media :

Conference paper

Type of material :

Storage medium

Language :

English