Polymer materials used in satellite manufacturing are exposed to severe environmental conditions. Irradiation by high-energy electrons induces chemical modifications of macromolecules. Poly-EtherEtherKetone (PEEK) is used in space industry and therefore, its behaviour regarding electronic irradiations has to be studied. Thus, the aim of this work is to investigate the effect of experimental electronic irradiations on the physical and chemical structure of PEEK. In this way, PEEK films were irradiated under high vacuum by a mono-energetic electron beam. Doses deposited are representatives of 15 years in geostationary electronic environment. The study of irradiated samples revealed modifications of the chemical and physical structures. Irradiation predominantly induces cross-linking phenomena in the amorphous phase in front of chain scission phenomena. Irradiation also leads to a decrease in crystallite size and crystallinity ratio.
Satellites in space environment are subject to several environmental constraints. In the case of polymer materials, electronic irradiations can induce premature ageing which can lead to a shorter lifetime for the satellite. Moreover, synergistic effects between temperature and irradiation can occur and enhance this ageing. A previous study showed that PolyEtherEther-Ketone (PEEK), a newly used polymer in space industry, presents great radiation tolerance properties. Nonetheless, it was necessary to investigate the influence of temperature factor on its ageing. This study focuses on the comparison of PEEK samples aged at two temperatures: room temperature and 165°C. Irradiations have been performed under high-vacuum and with a mono-energetic electron beam. They led to doses representative of 15 years of exposure to geostationary electronic environment. The comparison between both types of samples showed that increase in irradiation temperature have a significant impact on ageing kinetics. In particular, analyses revealed a higher cross-linking density for 165°C irradiated samples which has been associated with a higher recombination rate of radicals due to amorphous phase mobility increase above glass transition.
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