About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
MS&T25: Materials Science & Technology
|
| Symposium
|
Materials and Manufacturing in Low Earth Orbit (and Beyond)
|
| Presentation Title |
Atomic Oxygen-Induced Degradation in a Polyimide Film From Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulations |
| Author(s) |
Jacob R. Breese, Lisa M. Hall, Cody Bezik, Vikas Varshney |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Jacob R. Breese |
| Abstract Scope |
Polyimide films are widely used in spacecraft multi-layer insulation for their low thermal conductivity and broad temperature stability. In Low Earth Orbit (LEO), highly reactive atomic oxygen (AO) degrades these films and their insulative properties. We investigate AO-induced damage of polyimide films using fully-atomistic, reactive MD simulations, where Kapton is subjected to high-velocity AO bombardment. We analyze resulting mass loss, average AO penetration depth, and types of volatile species produced. We aim to understand the dependence of these damage metrics on composition, temperature, and AO velocity to clarify polyimide erosion mechanisms in LEO, aiding development of space weather damage models and the search for new resistant materials.
The Lab-to-Orbit University Center of Excellence on Science, performance and critical evaluation of materials in low Earth orbit (SPACE-MAT) acknowledges funding from the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program under award number FA8650-24-2-5210. |