The effect of leveling coatings on the atomic oxygen durability of solar concentrator surfaces
Space power systems for Space Station Freedom will be exposed to the harsh environment of low earth orbit (LEO). Neutral atomic oxygen is the major constituent in LEO and has the potential of severely reducing the efficiency of solar dynamic power systems through degradation of the concentrator surfaces. Several transparent dielectric thin films have been found to provide atomic oxygen protection, but atomic oxygen undercutting at inherent defect sites is still a threat to solar dynamic power system survivability. Leveling coatings smooth microscopically rough surfaces, thus eliminating potential defect sites prone to oxidation attack on concentrator surfaces. The ability of leveling coatings to improve the atomic oxygen durability of concentrator surfaces was investigated. The application of a EPO-TEK 377 epoxy leveling coating on a graphite epoxy substrate resulted in an increase in solar specular reflectance, a decrease in the atomic oxygen defect density by an order of magnitude and a corresponding order of magnitude decrease in the percent loss of specular reflectance during atomic oxygen plasma ashing.
- Research Organization:
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
- OSTI ID:
- 7030145
- Report Number(s):
- N-90-21110; NASA-TM-102557; E-5375; NAS-1.15:102557; CONF-900419-
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. international triennial conference on thin films and the 17th international conference on metallurgical coatings, San Diego, CA (USA), 1-6 Apr 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SOLAR CONCENTRATORS
EROSION
PROTECTIVE COATINGS
SERVICE LIFE
SURFACE FINISHING
ATOMIC BEAMS
GRAPHITE
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
THIN FILMS
BEAMS
CARBON
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COATINGS
ELEMENTAL MINERALS
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FILMS
MINERALS
NONMETALS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
141000* - Solar Collectors & Concentrators