To clarify the effects of space environment on mechanical properties of polymer, exposure experiments were conducted utilizing the International Space Station Russian Service Module. Poly‐ether‐ether‐ketone (PEEK) films under tensile stress were exposed to low Earth orbit (LEO) environment, and reference samples were irradiated with atomic oxygen (AO), electron beam (EB), and ultraviolet light (UV) in ground facilities. By comparing the results of flight and ground tests, the degradation behavior and the influential factors in LEO were investigated. The following results were obtained. (1) UV was found to be the harshest factor in LEO on tensile properties, since it decreased elongation to 15% of pristine sample after 46‐months exposure. (2) AO in LEO eroded the specimen surface with a cone‐like morphology and reduced the thickness; however, it had no significant effect on tensile properties. (3) EB irradiation in LEO had no measurable effects on the material properties.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Effects of LEO Environment on Tensile Properties of PEEK Films


    Contributors:

    Conference:

    PROTECTION OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES FROM SPACE ENVIRONMENT: Proceedings of the 9th International Conference: Protection of Materials and Structures From Space Environment ; 2008 ; Toronto (Canada)


    Published in:

    AIP Conference Proceedings ; 1087 , 1 ; 127-136


    Publication date :

    2009-01-05


    Size :

    10 pages





    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English



    Effects of LEO Environment on Tensile Properties of PEEK Films

    Nakamura, T. / Nakamura, H. / Shimamura, H. et al. | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2009


    Effects of LEO environment on tensile properties of PEEK films

    Nakamura, Takashi / Nakamura, Hiroshi / Shimamura, Hiroyuki | Tema Archive | 2008


    The space exposure experiment of PEEK sheets under tensile stress

    Nakamura, Takashi / Nakamura, Hiroshi / Fujita, Osamu et al. | Tema Archive | 2004


    Thermoplastic Films PEEK for MLI Spacecraft Applications

    Monticelli, Sylvie / Nghiem, Marie | AIAA | 2010


    Tribological Behaviour of PEEK Composites in Vacuum Environment

    Theiler, G. / Gradt, T. / European Space Agency | British Library Conference Proceedings | 2007