Experimental investigation of atomic oxygen effects on a carbon fiber/epoxy resin composite material

When used in spacecraft, carbon fiber/epoxy resin is affected severely by many factors of space environment, especially the atomic oxygen effect. Experiments were carried out to investigate the atomic oxygen erosion effect of this material with a ground-based simulation facility, while it is also affected by temperature change. Mass and surface morphology of the sample material before and after experiment were compared. The reaction characteristics of the material in the facility and the effect of ionic oxygen on the mass loss of the sample were studied.