In my experience, fluoropolymers are not great in atomic oxygen environments. What type of materials do you recommend in these situations?
Atomic Oxygen (ATOX) is the most abundant element in LEO space orbits (ranging from 180 to 650 km). Its effect on polymers depends greatly on the velocity and angle of the “atomic oxygen flux attack.” Metal shielding, which involves applying protective coatings on the polymer material itself (e.g., SiO2), is a common mitigation technique. For cable insulation and jacketing, PTFE and PFA are among the best polymers that resist corrosion and mass loss in the presence of ATOX, and polyimide is among the worst. (REF “Degradation of Space Materials” Joyce Denver (et al) NASA Glen Research Center; see also NASA white paper MISSE PEACE November 2006).
