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Atomic oxygen resistant coatings for low earth orbit space structures

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Abstract

This review presents research in the area of polymeric coatings developed for protecting low earth orbit (LEO) space structures from atomic oxygen. Following a brief description of the LEO environment, ground-based simulation facilities for atomic oxygen and evaluation of protective coatings are discussed. Atomic oxygen resistant coatings based on different polymeric systems such as fluorinated polymers, silicones, poly (carborane-siloxane)s and decarborane-based polymers are presented. Finally, the performances of different coating systems are compared and the scope for further research to improve the performance of some of the coating systems is discussed.

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Author notes

  1. S. Packirisamy

    Present address: Vikram Sarabhi Space Centre, 695 002, Trivandrum, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Macromolecular Science, Case Western Reserve University, 44106, Cleveland, Ohio, USA

    S. Packirisamy, D. Schwam & M. H. Litt

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  1. S. Packirisamy
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  2. D. Schwam
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  3. M. H. Litt
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Packirisamy, S., Schwam, D. & Litt, M.H. Atomic oxygen resistant coatings for low earth orbit space structures. JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE 30, 308–320 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354390

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00354390

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