Studies of erosion of solar max samples of Kapton and Teflon
Several samples of Kapton and Teflon which was exposed to solar radiation were examined. The samples represent material behavior in near Earth space. Clues to the identity of erosive processes and the responsible species were searched for. Interest centered around oxygen atoms which are ubiquitous at these altitudes and are known to erode some metal surfaces. Three diagnostic methods were employed: optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Two types of simulation were used: a flow containing low energy oxygen atoms and bombardment with 3000 volt Ar ions. Results and conclusions are presented.
Fristrom, R. M.↗