NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Atomic oxygen effects on boron nitride and silicon nitride: A comparison of ground based and space flight dataThe effects of atomic oxygen on boron nitride (BN) and silicon nitride (Si3N4) were evaluated in a low Earth orbit (LEO) flight experiment and in a ground based simulation facility. In both the inflight and ground based experiments, these materials were coated on thin (approx. 250A) silver films, and the electrical resistance of the silver was measured in situ to detect any 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 inflight and ground based experiments. In contrast, no permeation of atomic oxygen through Si3N4 was observed in either the inflight or ground based experiments. The ground based results show good qualitative correlation with the LEO flight results, indicating that ground based facilities such as the one at Los Alamos National Lab can reproduce space flight data from LEO.
Document ID
19910009833
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., San Diego CA., United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, 16th Space Simulation Conference Confirming Spaceworthiness Into the Next Millennium
Subject Category
Nonmetallic Materials
Accession Number
91N19146
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
No Preview Available