Teflon(TM) FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene) surfaces on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) have experienced significant degradation in mechanical properties during nearly ten years of exposure in the low Earth orbit environment. This paper describes results of mechanical properties testing of Teflon(TM) FEP materials exposed on HST for 9.7 years between launch and the third servicing mission (SM3A) and for 2.8 years between the second servicing mission (SM2) and SM3A. The results of tensile testing, bend testing and microscopic exarnination of crack morphology are described. The effects of post-retrieval heating and air compared with vacuum storage on the mechanical properties of the FEP surfaces are described as they significantly affect the interpretation of the results regarding the durability of FEP on HST. This paper provides comparisons of the properties of FEP surfaces retrieved during SM3A to previously reported results for FEP materials retrieved during the first servicing mission (SM1) and SM2. The environmental exposure conditions for the HST exposed materials are also described.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Mechanical properties of teflon FEP retrieved from the Hubble space telescope


    Contributors:
    Dever, J.A. (author) / Groh, K.K. de (author) / Messer, R.K. (author) / McClendon, M.W. (author) / Viens, M. (author) / Wang, L.L. (author) / Gummow, J.D. (author)


    Publication date :

    2001


    Size :

    18 Seiten, 7 Bilder, 7 Tabellen, 9 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Conference paper


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English




    Analyses of Hubble Space Telescope Aluminized-Teflon Insulation Retrieved After 19 Years of Space Exposure

    Groh, Kim K. / Waters, Deborah L. / Mohammed, Jelila S. et al. | Springer Verlag | 2012


    Surface and bulk degradation of Teflon FEP retrieved from the Hubble Space Telescope solar arrays

    Moser, M. / Semprimoschnig, C.O.A. / Eesbeek, M.R.J. van et al. | Tema Archive | 2008



    Mechanical properties degradation of Teflon FEP returned from the Hubble Space Telescope

    Dever, Joyce / de Groh, Kim / Townsend, Jacqueline et al. | AIAA | 1998