Monte Carol Simulation of Atomic Oxygen Undercutting on Polymer Film

Abstract

†Atomic oxygen undercutting effect on protective polymer film in low earth orbit space environment is a potential threat to vulnerable long duration exposure facility. A Monte Carlo computational model is developed to simulate interaction between atomic oxygen undercutting with polyimide film. Physical process of atomic oxygen undercutting and its definition of parameters, effect of atomic oxygen fluence, of the orbit angle, of the protection coating thickness, of the thermal assimilation, of the adding anti-undercutting components as well as new three-dimensional reaction probability are discussed in detail. Simulated results are in good agreement with flight experimental data. With the increment of atomic oxygen fluence, undercutting profiles, depth and width are both increased. Maximum undercutting depth is almost larger than maximum undercutting width. Using three-dimensional reaction probability, maximum depth is decreased by approximately 20% than that of 28.5 degree orbit angle.