Chemical Analysis of Materials Exposed to Venus Temperature and Surface Atmosphere

Planetary exploration in the harsh Venus surface environment faces a myriad of technical challenges related to material survivability, durability, and overall reliable systems operation. An understanding of material reactions in Venus relevant atmospheric conditions is core to enabling future successful Venus science missions. This work investigated various candidate materials used in fabricating electronics, sensors, and packaging after exposure to simulated Venus surface atmosphere. The NASA Glenn Extreme Environments Rig is capable of reproducing Venusian temperature, pressure, and atmospheric composition of the Venus surface consisting mostly of CO2and N2as well as traces of SO2, H2O, CO, OCS, HCl, HF, and H2S. The exposed materials were characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, field emission‐scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and optical imaging. The reactivity of the sulfur gas constituents with several of the exposed materials were found to have adverse effects on the materials, particularly those composed of transition metals. Alloys, brazes, and cladded materials all exhibited extensive reactions. In contrast, compounds of SiC, SiO2, Al2O3, and elemental Au and Ir were found to be chemically inert. The fundamental experimental understanding of material interactions with the simulated Venusian environment gained in this study enables improved selection of materials and hardware designs that would increase the success margin of future long duration science mission on Venus.