| The performance of protective inorganic coatings for polymeric materials against atomic oxygen for spacecraft applications is described in this thesis. Properties investigated after atomic oxygen ground-based simulations include surface-morphology changes and erosion yield (loss of mass). The protective coatings, developed at Datco Technology Limited, were derived from inorganic silicon compounds that were easily spray painted or spin coated onto a primed surface. They were found to form a thin, transparent coating which is extremely resistant to atomic oxygen. A thermal vacuum treatment (150$spcirc$C, 15 hour, $<$5 torr) was used to cure the multilayer coating to a thickness of about 10 microns. Studies on degree of curing were done through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to obtain the optimum condition of curing. The coatings formed very fine films on Kapton substrates which were nearly free of pinholes and microcracks; although such was not the case for polymer matrix composites. They were remarkably effective in preventing the erosion of Kapton and graphite composite substrates. Accordingly, these coating materials are promising candidates for exterior surfaces of spacecraft components to provide the underlying materials life and performance for space missions. |
