Class
Article
Graduation Year
2017
College
College of Science
Department
Physics Department
Faculty Mentor
JR Dennison
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
The Constant Voltage Conductivity (CVC) chamber of the Utah State University Materials Physics Group (MPG) is used to measure the conductivity of highly insulating materials. The samples are placed between two electrodes in the CVC chamber and then a constant electric field is applied from a constant voltage (50 V to 1000 V) source. The current (10-6 A to 10-16 A) across the sample is measured and, from that, the conductivity of the sample is calculated. Lastly, each test is characterized by sample thickness, temperature, and applied voltage. These measurements are useful for determining spacecraft charging effects of these and other materials regularly used in situations that expose to them to the space environment.
This project measured the conductivity of four different polymers: Teflon (PTFE), Teflon (FEP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and Kapton at room temperature and then at a varied temperature. Teflon and Kapton samples were then irradiated in the USU Space Survivability Test (SST) chamber at room temperature and at elevated temperatures. The conductivities of these samples were measured at room temperature and varied temperature in the CVC chamber.
The current and conductivity with elapsed time after the voltage was applied were fit with physics-based models to determine properties of the distributions of atomic-scale defects in the highly disordered polymeric material studied.
Location
South Atrium
Start Date
4-13-2017 10:30 AM
End Date
4-13-2017 11:45 AM
Measuring the Conductivity of Highly Insulating Materials with Constant Voltage Chamber Modifications
South Atrium
The Constant Voltage Conductivity (CVC) chamber of the Utah State University Materials Physics Group (MPG) is used to measure the conductivity of highly insulating materials. The samples are placed between two electrodes in the CVC chamber and then a constant electric field is applied from a constant voltage (50 V to 1000 V) source. The current (10-6 A to 10-16 A) across the sample is measured and, from that, the conductivity of the sample is calculated. Lastly, each test is characterized by sample thickness, temperature, and applied voltage. These measurements are useful for determining spacecraft charging effects of these and other materials regularly used in situations that expose to them to the space environment.
This project measured the conductivity of four different polymers: Teflon (PTFE), Teflon (FEP), low density polyethylene (LDPE), and Kapton at room temperature and then at a varied temperature. Teflon and Kapton samples were then irradiated in the USU Space Survivability Test (SST) chamber at room temperature and at elevated temperatures. The conductivities of these samples were measured at room temperature and varied temperature in the CVC chamber.
The current and conductivity with elapsed time after the voltage was applied were fit with physics-based models to determine properties of the distributions of atomic-scale defects in the highly disordered polymeric material studied.