Changes in Surface Morphology and Microcrack Initiation in Polymers Under Simultaneous Exposure to Stress and Fast Atom Bombardment

We present studies of the changes in surface morphology due to simultaneous exposure of polymers to stress and fast atom bombardment. The polymers examined were Teflon,³ Kapton,³ Nylon,³ and Kevlar-49.³ The incident particles were 6 keV xenon atoms. We show that in the presence of mechanical stress these polymers show topographical changes at particle doses considerably lower than similar changes produced on unstressed material. Applied stress also promotes the formation of surface microcracks which could greatly reduce the mechanical strength of the material.