Evaluation of the probability of reaction of fast oxygen atoms with polymers and graphite

On the basis of analysis of published data on the reaction efficiency of various polymer materials and graphite in their interaction with fast oxygen atoms (energy of about 4.5 eV) as obtained in flight tests of materials in low-Earth orbits of the International Space Station and ground tests, probability P _r of chemical oxidation reactions accompanied by ablation has been evaluated. Estimates have been made for 33 polymers consisting of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen and graphite for two extreme cases when the carboncontaining oxidation products are either CO or CO₂ alone. The average probability values found are P _r(CO)(av) = 0.184 and P _r(CO₂)(av) = 0.317. The probability values range from P _r(CO) = 0.604 and P _r(CO₂) = 0.963 for allyl diglycol carbonate to P _r(CO) = 0.038 and P _r(CO₂) = 0.075 for pyrolytic graphite.