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Abstract

In this paper we report on the performance of a new series of all-aromatic polyetherimides (PEIs) under simulated Low Earth Orbit (LEO) conditions. In particular, the effects of the polymer backbone structure on the thermo-optical stability under simulated ultraviolet (UV) radiation and atomic oxygen (AO) exposure were investigated. Neither the number of aryloxy groups (where n = 1, 2 or 3) in the polymer backbone nor their substitution pattern i.e. para, meta or ortho, seemed to have a significant effect on the behavior of these PEIs under simulated LEO conditions. However, the PEIs designed around 3,3',4,4'oxydiphtalic dianhydride (ODPA) showed less stable thermo-optical properties under UV exposure than those utilizing 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA). The UV-induced degradation of all PEI films appears to be confined within a thin surface layer of approximately 0.5 μm, leaving the underlying material largely unaffected. In conclusion, the performance of the PEI series under simulated LEO conditions is comparable to that of commercially available polyetherimides such as Upilex^TM or Kapton^TM.

Keywords

polyetherimide polyimide polymers degradation UV atomic oxygen outgassing space environment

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References

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The Performance of Novel Polyetherimides in a Low Earth Orbit Environment

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