Abstract
Polyimide (PI, Kapton-H®) films are widely utilized in the spacecraft industry for their insulating properties, mechanical durability, light weight, and chemical resistance to radiation. Still PI materials remain exposed to a combination of high-energy electrons, protons, and ultraviolet (UV) photons, particles primarily responsible for radiation-induced damage in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO), which drastically change PI’s properties. This work reviews the effect of electron, proton, and UV photon irradiation on the material properties (morphology, absorption, mechanical properties, and charge transport) of PI. The different damaging mechanisms and chemical consequences that drive changes in the material properties of PI caused by each individual kind of irradiation will be discussed in detail.
Highlights
Man-made satellites are made from many different materials; among them polyimide (PI, Kapton-H® ), a solid organic insulator with a monomeric unit of C22 H10 N2 O5 [1], has taken an honored place over more than four decades due to its insulating properties, mechanical durability, low density, and resistance to space radiation
Detailed knowledge of how space environments interact with materials in Earth orbit will guide the development of generation spacecraft materials
A considerable amount of information related to the interaction of electrons, the primary damaging species in geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) in terms of energy deposition, protons, and UV photons, with Kapton-H® material is available in the literature
Summary
Man-made satellites are made from many different materials; among them polyimide (PI, Kapton-H® ), a solid organic insulator with a monomeric unit of C22 H10 N2 O5 [1], has taken an honored place over more than four decades due to its insulating properties, mechanical durability, low density, and resistance to space radiation. The effects of VUV radiation should not be neglected since complete absorption of high-energy photons in spacecraft materials can induce photolysis with subsequent formation of highly chemically reactive moieties [31]. The creation of these reactive chemical structures may result in a large variety of processes from the modification of the polymer surface to complete decomposition [32,33]. In the present work we review the published literature on alterations of material properties of Kapton irradiated with high energy particles (electrons and protons) and VUV photons spanning the. This review may be useful for the development of more reliable predictive spacecraft models (electrical charging, thermal, etc.) to guide the design of satellites with improved lifetime and system reliability, and decreased satellite operational and construction costs
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
