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A comparison of ground-based and space flight data: Atomic oxygen reactions with boron nitride and silicon nitrideThe effects of atomic oxygen on boron nitride (BN) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) have been studied in low Earth orbit (LEO) flight experiments and in a ground-based simulation facility at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Both the in-flight and ground-based experiments employed the materials coated over thin (approx 250 Angstrom) silver films whose electrical resistance was measured in situ to detect penetration of atomic oxygen through the BN and Si3N4 materials. In the presence of atomic oxygen, silver oxidizes to form silver oxide, which has a much higher electrical resistance than pure silver. Permeation of atomic oxygen through BN, as indicated by an increase in the electrical resistance of the silver underneath, was observed in both the in-flight and ground-based experiments. In contrast, no permeation of atomic oxygen through Si3N4 was observed in either the in-flight or ground-based experiments. The ground-based results show good qualitative correlation with the LEO flight results, thus validating the simulation fidelity of the ground-based facility in terms of reproducing LEO flight results.
Document ID
19910009237
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Cross, J. B.
(Los Alamos National Lab. NM., United States)
Lan, E. H.
(McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems Co. Huntington Beach, CA., United States)
Smith, C. A.
(McDonnell-Douglas Space Systems Co. Huntington Beach, CA., United States)
Whatley, W. J.
(Sparta, Inc., Huntsville AL., United States)
Koontz, S. L.
(NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Houston, TX, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1990
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
DE91-004856
NASA-TM-103385
LA-UR-90-3968
NAS 1.15:103385
CONF-9009307-1
Meeting Information
Meeting: Air Force Workshop on Surface Reactions in the Space Environment
Location: Evanston, IL
Country: United States
Start Date: September 24, 1990
End Date: September 25, 1990
Accession Number
91N18550
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: W-7405-ENG-36
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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