Abstract: Kapton HN(PMDA-ODA, polyimide) has many applications in aerospace technology as solar cell blanket and thermal blanket. But Kapton is susceptible to atomic oxygen(AO) erosion. Exposure experiment ground-based simulation facilitYINdicate that it undergoes mass loss and surface degradation. XPS was used to characterize the chemical and physical change of the surface of Kapton after AO irradiation. Strong oxidative degradation of Kapton and substantial changes in surpermolecular organization and morphology of its surface layer were observed after AO irradiation. The results suggest that AO not only reacts with Kapton surfaces, but also the transfer of the energy of particle collisions of chain macromolecules in surface layer aids in the development of physicochemical reaction processes. It is evident that siloxane coatings have excellent properties for anti-AO effects.

Key words: Kapton, Atomic oxygen, Erosion, Protection