RADIATION EFFECTS IN MATERIALS

In contrast to electronic components, materials are, in general, quite resistant to the conditions encountered in space from the point of view of radiation effects. There exist however some groups of materials which can cause concern, particularly when they are used on the outside of spacecraft. These include fluorinated polymers, oxide glasses and paints. Normally only very sensitive properties like the thermo-optical ones may be significantly degraded in near earth space. The extremely used geostationary orbit is the most dangerous in this respect. Another characteristic of materials is that degradation is a complex phenomenon, of which particulate radiation is not the only cause. Synergistic effects are the rule and the influence of the complete space environment including temperature, UV radiation, particles, contamination, etc. must be assessed. This strongly complicates the ground simulation experiments.