Research on High Energy Density Capacitor Materials

Abstract

The Pulsed Plasma thruster is the simplest of all electric propulsion devices. It is a pulsed device which stores energy in capacitors for each pulse. The lifetimes and energy densities of these capacitors are critical parameters to the continued use of these thrusters. This report presents the result of a research effort conducted by JPL into the materials used in capacitors and the modes of failure. The dominant failure mechanism was determined to be material breakdown precipitated by heat buildup within the capacitors. The presence of unwanted gas was identified as the source of the heat. An aging phenomena was discovered in polycarbonate based capacitors. CO buildup was noted to increase with the number of times the capacitor had been discharged. Improved quality control was cited as being essential for the improvement of capacitor lifetimes. Keywords include: Electric propulsion, Pulsed plasma thrusters, Capacitors.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA197018

Entities

People

  • Robert Somoano

Organizations

  • California Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aging (Materials)
  • Air Force
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Engineers
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Glass Transition Temperature
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Manufacturing
  • Mass Spectra
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials Processing
  • Measurement
  • Pulsed Plasma Thrusters
  • Transition Temperature

Readers

  • Plasma Physics.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster