Radiation effects in polyimide foils subjected to a simulated space environment

Samples of polyimide have been aged under a simulated space environment under various stressing conditions for periods of up to 48 months. Changes in the polymer have been monitored by measuring TSDC spectra. The behaviour of activation energies derived from the TSDC spectra as a function of polarisation voltage and ageing conditions after 24 months are presented in this paper.