Effect of processing conditions and electrode characteristics on the electrical properties of structural composite capacitors

Authors

• D. J. O'Brien, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
• D. M. Baechle, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
• O. B. Yurchak, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD
• E. D. Wetzel, U.S. Army Research Laboratory, Weapons and Materials Research Directorate, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2015

Citation

Composites: Part A 68 (2015) 47–55

Abstract

Structural capacitors are manufactured from glass fabric/epoxy prepreg dielectrics and metalized polymer film electrodes. The electrical breakdown strengths of these multifunctional materials are investigated across a wide range of electrode constructions and processing parameters. The results show that electrode selection and materials processing have a significant impact on the energy that the device can store. Also, this careful consideration of processing parameters and electrode construction has led to the development of a structural capacitor with an energy density exceeding 0.90 J/cm³, the highest yet reported.