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 implantation, implantation with a MEVVA ion source, as well as Metal Plasma Immersion Ion Implantation have been used for the treatment of high-performance polymers at specially selected regimes, derived from the results of computer simulation. Testing of the implanted advanced polymers and carbon fiber reinforced composites has been performed in a Space Simulator for accelerated testing by exposure to fast (E∼2–3 eV) atomic oxygen beam, as well as by exposure to oxygen plasma, and ozone+UV. After an intermediate stage of surface conversion, the treated materials did not show any mass loss or surface morphology change, thus indicating high-quality protection from these severe oxidative environments. A variety of complementary surface analysis techniques, such as RBS, SIMS, XPS and SEM have been used to examine the surface content and structure of the modified subsurface layers.