Abstract Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation produced by the Sun in the space environment can cause degradation to thermoregulating coatings producing changes in optical, mechanical, and chemical properties. These effects are particularly important for polymers. The purpose of this study was to study the effect of VUV radiation on polymeric composites based on polyalkaneimide. Amorphous and crystalline were used as the filler. A comparative characterization of physico-mechanical properties of composites is presented depending on the polymorphic structure of the filler being introduced. According to the microhardness of the surface of composites with amorphous and crystalline , an optimum filler content of 60–65 wt% is established. The exposure of VUV radiation to polymeric composites with leads to a mass loss and a change in their near-surface layers, which leads to a deterioration in the optical properties. At an elevated temperature (C), the mass loss of all composites with amorphous crystalline does not exceed 1.33%, and with crystalline , the maximum mass loss is 0.52%. The mass loss of composites with crystalline of all compositions did not exceed the allowable value for spacecraft products of 1%. For high-filled (50 wt% filler or more) composites with amorphous , mass loss after VUV treatment is more than 1%, which does not allow them to be used in outer space. The change in the main optical characteristics of thermoregulating coatings after VUV treatment was studied. The smoothing of the surface of composites after VUV treatment is established.
Highlights Composites with amorphous and crystalline SiO2 were exposed to vacuum ultraviolet. Smoothing of the surface roughness of composites after irradiation was established. Composites with crystalline SiO2 have less mass loss after irradiation. A slight change in the optical properties after irradiation was found. The optimum content of fillers is established 60–65 wt%.
Effect of crystal structure on the stability of polymer composites exposed to vacuum ultraviolet radiation
Acta Astronautica ; 155 ; 1-9
2018-11-13
9 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
Ultraviolet and Vacuum-Ultraviolet Radiation Effects on Spacecraft Thermal Control Materials
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1993
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