A ground-based experimental study of atomic oxygen effects on polymer-matrix composite

Polymer-matrix composite is widely used in spacecraft for its excellent performance. However, when it is exposed to space, it is severely affected by the environmental effects of Low Earth Orbit (LEO), especially atomic oxygen (AO), which can cause composite erosion and degradation. In ground-based simulation experiments, the effects of AO on carbon fiber reinforced composites and glass fiber reinforced composites were studied. The following conclusions were drawn when comparing the appearance, mass, and surface morphology of samples before and after the experiment: Firstly, samples experienced severe AO erosion, characterized by substantial mass loss and notable changes in surface morphology. AO preferentially eroded the surface resin, causing the fibers to be exposed. The exposed carbon fibers were also eroded, resulting in surface protuberances. Secondly, the erosion of glass fiber-reinforced composites was primarily due to resin erosion. Because glass fibers are non-reactive to AO, they protected the underlying resin from further erosion. As the AO fluence increased, the material erosion yield decreased.