Aging Effect and Induced Electric Phenomena on Dielectric Materials Irradiated With High Energy Electrons

The high radiation dose received by space used polymers may greatly alter their electric properties. This effect could, for instance, reduce significantly radiation-induced conductivity (RIC) leading to high charging risks that were not predicted from pristine sample. For an optimized qualification and prediction, it is therefore highly important to characterize the charging properties of polymers and their evolution as a function of the received dose. This paper aimed at studying aging of electric properties of four different polymers (Teflon FEP, Kapton, polyepoxy DP 490 adhesive, and silicon QS1123 adhesive) at high dose level (10
⁵
and 10
⁶
Gy). We have been able to demonstrate that aging could lead to the reduction of RIC on some polymers (for polyepoxy and silicone adhesives, and FEP) or inversely to the increase of RIC on others (e.g., Kapton). Ionization effect must, however, be considered in the analysis of the results. Relaxation processes could drastically affect the charging profile and macroscopic electric properties.