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Space Environment Effect on Fluorinated Polymers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

M. Chipara
Affiliation:
Indiana University Cyclotron Facility
D. L. Edwards
Affiliation:
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Al.
J. Zaleski
Affiliation:
Chemistry Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
B. Hoang
Affiliation:
Space System Loral, 3825 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303.
B. Przewoski
Affiliation:
Indiana University Cyclotron Facility
S. Balascuta
Affiliation:
Physics Department, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.
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Abstract

The effects of the space environment on polytetrafluorethylene and some fluorinated polymers, copolymers, and blends are critically reviewed. It is shown that in low altitude orbits such as Low Earth Orbit and Geostationary Orbit the presence of both ionizing radiation and atomic oxygen triggers a synergetic degradation of materials based on fluorinated polymers. The behavior is due to the lability of the in-chain alkyl radical to oxygen attack. It is concluded that fluorinated polymers should not be used as materials for space applications, as long as the mission implies low Earth orbits.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2004

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References

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