A study of the reaction characteristics and mechanism of Kapton in a plasma-type ground-based atomic oxygen effects simulation facility

Kapton, a commonly used spacecraft material, is studied to investigate the atomic oxygen (AO) erosion effects in a plasma-type ground-based AO effects simulation facility. The samples before and after the experiments are compared in aspect, mass and surface morphology. The reaction characteristics of the material in the facility are obtained. The contribution of AO and ionic oxygen to mass loss in the sample and the reaction mechanism between the different particles and samples are analysed. It is concluded that neutral AO is the major cause of material erosion and mass loss and that the collision of energetic ions may accelerate the oxidation reaction.