Long-Term Light Induced Changes in Dark Conductivity of Kapton

The light-induced increase in dark conductivity of Kapton in space and simulated space environments has been investigated. It was found that a long-term increase in conductivity is caused by an accumulation of electrically active centers generated by solar radiation in the bulk material, if maintain...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Leung,M S, Tueling,M B, Mizera,P F
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
BULK MATERIALS
Coatings, Colorants and Finishes
CONDUCTIVITY
DARKNESS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
ELECTROSTATIC CHARGE
EXPOSURE(GENERAL)
Kapton
LIGHT TRANSMISSION
Optics
Plastics
POLYIMIDE RESINS
POLYMERIC FILMS
SIMULATION
SOLAR RADIATION
SPACE ENVIRONMENTS
VACUUM
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Summary:The light-induced increase in dark conductivity of Kapton in space and simulated space environments has been investigated. It was found that a long-term increase in conductivity is caused by an accumulation of electrically active centers generated by solar radiation in the bulk material, if maintained in a vacuum. An analysis of the increase in conductivity as a function of light exposure time indicates that the dark conductivity of Kapton can be raised to a level where the film can become sufficiently conductive to be antistatic by simply exposing it to solar radiation in orbit.