Atomic Oxygen Resistant Conductive (POSS) Kapton Polyimides.

The development of electrically conductive co-polymers of Kapton and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS-Kapton) are proposed. The electrically conductive constituents are dispersed on a nano-scale throughout the POSS-Kapton and preserve electrical conductivity under oxidizing conditions. The modified POSS-Kapton polymer will be self-passivating against atomic oxygen erosion and will maintain electrical conductivity of the POSS-derived surface passivation layer that provides the erosion protection. Electrical conductivity will also be preserved at defects such as scratches and micrometeoroid or space debris impact sites. The proposed modification will not significantly alter the solar absorptance or thermal emittance of the POSS-Kapton. In Phase I, modified films of POSS-Kapton containing 0%, 10%, and 20%, POSS would be fabricated with a range of conductive constituent loadings and characterized by measurement of atomic oxygen erosion rate, electrical conductivity, solar and infrared optical properties and mechanical properties as a function of composition. Samples of modified POSS-Kapton with the best performance would be delivered to the Air Force. In Phase II, the fabrication process for the modified POSS-Kapton would be scaled for production of larger films and a more extensive evaluation of atomic oxygen erosion resistance and charge dissipation properties under simulated space conditions would be undertaken.