| Abstract Scope |
The explosion of satellite activity in low earth orbit (LEO) has renewed interest in protective ceramic coatings for vulnerable space materials and structures. LEO constitutes an extreme environment due to conditions such as high velocity micrometeoroids/debris, vacuum-ultraviolet radiation, and atomic oxygen (AO). The effect of AO is especially detrimental to lightweight, ubiquitous polymers, used for example as satellite solar array substrates, solar reflector blankets, and multi-layer insulation. Dry aerosol deposition (DAD) is an ideal process to produce ceramic oxide coatings to protect these polymeric systems from AO erosion. In particular, SiOx (x≤2) may act as a cost effective and robust protective coating compared with current sputter deposited thin films. Experimental results for DAD SiOx on Kapton® will be presented. The effects of process parameters on stoichiometry, thickness, adhesion, roughness, hardness and residual stress will be shown. The essential criteria for selection of coatings for AO erosion mitigation will be discussed. |