Ion bombardment and its effects on the optical properties of metals
An experimental program, to evaluate the change in total hemispherical emittance and solar absorptance of engineering metals used on spacecraft and in spacecraft instrumentation systems, is presented. Three materials, titanium alloy, pure aluminum, and electrolytic copper, were used in the experiment. Results show that emittance, absorptance, and alpha/epsilon ratio of the materials were changed by ion bombardment. The time before the change occurs depends upon the material used, the intensity of bombardment, and the environment assumed.