Space Durability Testing via MISSE-FF of CORIN XLS Polyimide with Increased Flexibility and Tear Resistance

A new thin-film polymer material is proposed that would improve orbit lifetimenbsp;and packaging efficiency for use in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and Micro-Meteoroid and Orbital Debris (MMOD) prone applications.nbsp; Thin-film polymers are used in many spacecraft applications including multi-layer insulation, sunshields for thermal control, deployable structures, solar sails, as well as flexible solar arrays.nbsp; Materials on exterior spacecraft surfaces are subjected to extremely harsh environments composed of photon and charged particle radiation, thermal cycling, impacts from MMOD, and Atomic Oxygen (AO). nbsp;Many applications that could benefit from using a thin polymer film are restricted from their use since many currently available materials do not meet durability or packaging requirements.nbsp; This proposal defines research that will develop a new material capability for NASA and deliver samples for MISSE-FF testing needed to qualify the material for NASA missions and commercial applications.During Phase I, NeXolve incorporated a PTFE structure within the CORINreg;XLS polyimide to provide an AO-resistant polymer film with flexibility, tear resistance, and durability far exceeding current state of the art materials.nbsp; Phase I also resulted in development of a new lab scale manufacturing method to form the CORINreg; XLS/PTFE composite with improved tear resistance.nbsp; The composite materials exhibited substantial increases in elongation properties and tear strength compared to baseline materials.nbsp; The elongation of the composite films increased by as much as 700% compared to baseline material.nbsp; An increase in tear strength of the composite compared to the baseline CORINreg; XLS film was as high 1000% depending on the composite construction.nbsp; Phase II seeks to develop a continuous manufacturing process for the CORIN XLS/PTFE composite that will allow commercial scale production.nbsp; The Phase II research also seeks to advance the TRL of the material from 5 to 7 by utilizing the MISSE-FF platform.