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Slemp, W. S.

Publications and source records attributed to Slemp, W. S..

At least 19 records

Response of composite materials to the Space Station orbit environment

The rationale for selecting composite materials with an anodized aluminum foil coating for the Space Station is presented. Data on the effects of the space service environment on these materials are given. Results are also presented on the effect of optical properties of an aluminum/aluminum oxide coating on the thermal balance of the cylindrical structural members. The resistance of this coating to solar ultraviolet degradation is discussed.

Tompkins, S. S.

Evaluation of colorless polyimide film for thermal control coating applications

A series of essentially colorless aromatic polyimide films was synthesized and characterized with the objective of obtaining maximum optical transparency for applications in space. Optical transparency is a requirement for high performance polymeric films used in second surface mirror coatings on thermal control systems. The intensity in color of aromatic polyimide films was lowered by reducing the electronic interaction between chromophoric centers in the polymer molecular structure and by using highly purified monomers. The resulting lightly colored to colorless polyimide films were characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy before and after exposure to 300 equivalent solar hours UV irradiation and varying doses of 1 MeV electron irradiation. After irradiation, the films were found to be 2 to 2.5 times more transparent than commercial polyimide film of the same thickness.

St. Clair, A. K.

Evaluation of colorless polyimide film for thermal control coating applications

A series of essentially colorless aromatic polyimide films was synthesized and characterized with the objective of obtaining maximum optical transparency for applications in space. Optical transparency is a requirement for high performance polymeric films used in second surface mirror coatings on thermal control systems. The intensity in color of aromatic polyimide films was lowered by reducing the electronic interaction between chromophoric centers in the polymer molecular structure and by using highly purified monomers. The resulting lightly colored to colorless polyimide films were characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy before and after exposure to 300 equivalent solar hours UV irradiation and varying doses of 1 MeV electron irradiation. After irradiation, the films were found to be 2 to 2.5 times more transparent than commercial polyimide film of the same thickness.

St.clair, A. K.

Evaluation of colorless polyimide film for thermal control coating applications

A series of essentially colorless aromatic polyimide films has been synthesized and characterized with the objective of obtaining maximum optical transparency for applications in space. Optical transparency is a requirement for high performance polymeric films used in second surface mirror coatings on thermal control systems. The intensity in color of aromatic polyimide films was lowered by reducing the electronic interaction between chromophoric centers in the polymer molecular structure and by using highly purified monomers. The resulting lightly colored to colorless polyimide films have been characterized by UV-visible and infrared spectroscopy before and after exposure to 300 equivalent solar hours UV irradiation and varying doses of 1 MeV electron irradiation. After irradiation, the films were found to be 2 to 2.5 times more transparent than commercial polyimide film of the same thickness.

St. Clair, A. K.

Space radiation effects on an elastomer-toughened epoxy-graphite composite

An elastomer-toughened epoxy-graphite composite system (CE339/T300) was evaluated for its potential durability in the space radiation environment. The physical and chemical response of this system was characterized following exposure to radiation doses equivalent to 20 to 30 years in geosynchronous orbit using 1 MeV electrons. The results show that electrons generate extensive crosslinking and embrittlement of the matrix. This embrittlement results in chemical and mechanical property changes that would limit the service life of this epoxy system in some space structure applications.

Sykes, G. F.

Exposure of spacecraft coatings (S0010)

The objectives of this LDEF experiment are to determine the effects of both the Shuttle-induced environment and the space radiation environment on selected sets of spacecraft thermal control coatings. The experimental approach is to passively expose samples of thermal control coatings to Shuttle-induced and space radiation environments and to return the samples for postflight evaluation and comparison with preflight measurements to determine the effects of the environmental exposure. Optical measurements of the samples will include total normal emittance and spectral reflectance. The experiment will utilize a 6 in. deep peripheral tray and an experiment exposure control canister (EECC). The EECC will provide protection for some of the samples against exposure to the launch and reentry environments. The EECC will be programmed to open about 2 weeks after LDEF deployment and close pior to LDEF retrieval by the Shuttle and reentry. Some samples will not be housed in the EECC and will be exposed to the Shuttle-induced environment during launch and reentry. Comparison of the data from these samples with data from samples in the EECC will yield information about possible contamination induced degradation effects.

Slemp, W. S.

Radiation damage and annealing of amorphous silicon solar cells

Amorphous silicon solar cells were irradiated with 1 MeV electrons at the Space Environmental Effects Laboratory of the NASA Langley Research Center. The cells accumulated a total fluence of 10 to the 14th, 10 to the 15th, and 10 to the 16th electrons per square centimeter and exhibited increasing degradation with each irradiation. This degradation was tracked by evaluating the I-V curves for AM0 illumination and the relative spectral response. The observed radiation damage was reversed following an anneal of the cells under vacuum at 200 C for 2 hours.

Byvik, C. E.

High-temperature adhesives for bonding polyimide film

Experimental polyimide resins were developed and evaluated as potential high temperature adhesives for bonding Kapton polyimide film. Lap shear strengths of Kapton/Kapton bonds were obtained as a function of test temperature, adherend thickness, and long term aging at 575 K (575 F) in vacuum. Glass transition temperatures of the polyimide/"Kapton" bondlines were monitored by thermomechanical analysis.

St.clair, A. K.

Advanced materials for space

The principal thrust of the LSST program is to develop the materials technology required for confident design of large space systems such as antennas and platforms. Areas of research in the FY-79 program include evaluation of polysulfones, measurement of the coefficient of thermal expansion of low expansion composite laminates, thermal cycling effects, and cable technology. The development of new long thermal control coatings and adhesives for use in space is discussed. The determination of radiation damage mechanisms of resin matrix composites and the formulation of new polymer matrices that are inherently more stable in the space environment are examined.

Tenney, D. R.

High-temperature adhesives for polyimide films

Linear condensation polyimides which are high-temperature polymers show promise as adhesives which form flexible film coatings compatible with polyimide films. Materials are advantageous since they can be supplied as flexible tape, already B-staged and ready for bonding.

St. Clair, A. K.

High Temperature Adhesives for Bonding Kapton

Experimental polyimide resins were developed and evaluated as potential high temperature adhesives for bonding Kapton polyimide film. Lap shear strengths of Kapton/Kapton bonds were obtained as a function of test temperature, adherend thickness, and long term aging at 575K (575 F) in vacuum. Glass transition temperatures of the polyimide/Kapton bondlines were monitored by thermomechanical analysis.

Stclair, A. K.

High temperature adhesives for bonding Kapton

Experimental polyimide resins have been developed and evaluated as potential high temperature adhesives for bonding Kapton polyimide film. Lap shear strengths of 'Kapton'/'Kapton' bonds were obtained as a function of test temperature, adherend thickness, and long term aging at 575K (575 F) in vacuum. Glass transition temperatures of the polyimide/'Kapton' bondlines were monitored by thermomechanical analysis.

Saint Clair, A. K.

Effects of space radiation on thin polymers and nonmetallics

Advanced materials for various spacecraft systems in the 1980s and 1990s have been evaluated in situ after exposure to space radiation. Emphasis has been placed on materials having little or no previous base of environmental effects data. Applications ranging from earth orbit to near-sun have been covered. High temperature polymers and composites have been included. Silica composites may offer improved reflectance stability compared with metallized fluorocarbons. Directional reflectance properties of FEP are a function of charged particle energy and flux as well as total exposure fluence and material characteristics. Data obtained on polyimides and polyxylylenes under high temperature radiation exposure conditions will be discussed in the context of near-sun solar sailing and rendezvousing.

Fogdall, L. B.

Particulate and solar radiation stable coating for spacecraft

A laminate thermal control coating for spacecraft comprising a layer of solar radiation stable film, a layer of particulate radiation stable film applied to the upper surface of the solar radiation stable film, and a layer of reflecting material applied to the lower surface of the solar radiation stable film was described. The coating experiences no increase in solar radiation absorptance (the proportion of radiant energy absorbed) upon exposure to particulate or solar radiation as the particulate radiation is substantially absorbed in the particulate radiation stable layer and the solar radiation partially absorbed by the particulate radiation stable layer is transmitted by the solar radiation stable film to the reflecting material which reflects it back through the laminate and into space.

Slemp, W. S.

Effects of simulated space environment on Skylab parasol material

A material consisting of ripstop nylon bonded to the Mylar side of aluminized Mylar film was used to construct the first Skylab parasol. The mechanical properties of elongation and tensile strength and the radiative properties of solar absorptance and thermal emittance were measured before and after exposure to simulated solar radiation at intensities of 1.0 and 3.5 solar constants for exposure times as long as 947 hours or 3316 equivalent solar hours. The accelerated testing indicated more severe degradation than was experienced in the real-time test (1 solar constant). The results predicted that this material could have given satisfactory performance throughout the planned lifetime of the Skylab workshop.

Slemp, W. S.