journal article·2019-05-16Open access

Review of Radiation-Induced Effects in Polyimide

Elena A. Plis, Daniel P. Engelhart, Russell Cooper, W. Robert Johnston, Dale Ferguson, Ryan Hoffmann

Applied Sciences· Volume 9· Issue 10

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.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Polymer Nanocomposite Synthesis and Irradiation · Silicone and Siloxane Chemistry · Polymer Nanocomposites and Properties

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Assurance Technology Corporation, Carlisle, MA 01741, USA

Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM 87117, USA

Funding

Air Force Office of Scientific Research

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