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| TxAggie |
 Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:34 am Post subject: Relibility of aluminium electrolytic capacitors in space |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Posts: 1
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| I'm looking for information on the reliability of common wet capacitors in space. How does the liquid electrolyte preform in a zero pressure environment? I'm considering changing my design to tantalum capacitors, is this necessary? |
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| bit4bit |
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 14 Jul 2007
Posts: 625
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I think it would probably be fine. The only thing I could see going wrong is the capacitor blowing under the rated voltage, since wet electrolytics are designed to have a weak spot at the top (marked by an engraved cross or lines), where the gas is directed when it blows, but that seems unlikely to me. I'd be surprised if you found any data on it, but if you really wanted to know, you could always set-up an experiment with an air-tight container, pump and one-way valve, a few electrolytics, function generator/scope, and see how the capacitance is affected (if at all) by different pressures, or if it blows.
_________________
Chance favours the prepared mind. |
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| Pumblechook |
| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:32 am Post subject: |
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Forum Freshman
Joined: 05 Dec 2007
Posts: 53
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I seem to remember tants as being particularly unreliable in spite of manufacturers hype. I fact many equipment makers stopped using them.
Heat is a problem in space..no cooling air. |
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