Comparison of surface modification of polymeric materials for protection from severe oxidative environments using different ion sources

Mid-energy monoenergetic conventional single-, dual-, or triple ion implant ation, implantation with a MEVVA ion source, as well as Metal Plasma Immers ion Ion Implantation have been used for the treatment of high-performance p olymers at specially selected regimes, derived from the results of computer simulation. Testing of the implanted advanced polymers and carbon fiber re inforced composites has been performed in a Space Simulator for accelerated testing by exposure to fast (E similar to 2-3 eV) atomic oxygen beam, as w ell as by exposure to oxygen plasma, and ozone + UV. After an intermediate stage of surface conversion, the treated materials did not show any mass lo ss or surface morphology change, thus indicating high-quality protection fr om these severe oxidative environments. A variety of complementary surface analysis techniques, such as RBS, SIMS, XPS and SEM have been used to exami ne the surface content and structure of the modified subsurface layers. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.