Shock-Induced Electrical Switching in Polymeric Films

Abstract

Several of the compressed magnetic field generators described at this conference use polymeric films to insulate explosively driven armatures from coils surrounding the armatures. Optimum device performance is achieved when the films remain electrically insulating prior to impact of the armatures but switch to highly conducting states upon impact on the film. We have been studying the electrical switching properties of commercially available polymer films with high dielectric strength. Our objectives were: (1) to develop an experimental capability, (2) to determine if switching was controlled by film conduction or electrode contact, (3) to determine switching characteristics, (4) to determine if typical switching behavior influenced generator performance, and (5) to determine physical mechanisms responsible for such shock-actuated switching.

This work was sponsored by the United States Department of Energy (DOE) under contract number DE-AC04-76-DP00789.