Thermal Energy Accommodation from Oxygen Atoms Recombination on Metallic Surfaces

Measurements of recombination and accommodation coefficients of oxygen atoms are important in determining the energy released to spacecraft thermal protection during the atmospheric entry phase. The aim of this work is the evaluation of the accommodation of the energy released from oxygen atoms recombination on metals such as copper, silver, cobalt, zinc, nickel, gold, and steel with a calorimetric method and its evolution with the surface temperature. The chemical evolution of the surface of the material (oxidation) is followed by electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis for different exposure times to the oxygen atoms flux. A catalycity scale of the materials was established and their catalycity was correlated witb their electronic properties (n- or p-type semicooductivity).