Erosion rates for polymers measured on LDEF

Abstract

The summary and viewgraphs of work presented at the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) materials workshop are given. Experimental data for erosion depths and rates for polymers measured on LDEF are given. In general, agreement is reasonably good between erosion rates from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) LDEF experiment and prior data obtained at much lower mission fluences. Agreement is particularly satisfying in the case of Kapton where the prior data base is large. In spite of the known presence of silicaceous contamination on LDEF surfaces, the erosion rates of the highly erodible materials are hardly affected, if at all. Graphs showing changes in optical properties (reflectance and transmittance) of metal films are included.