[Prev][Next][Index][Thread]

Re: Acrylic Caps vs. Glass Caps!! (fwd)





---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 1998 12:35:29 EST
From: Esondrmn <Esondrmn-at-aol-dot-com>
To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com
Subject: Re: Acrylic Caps vs. Glass Caps!! (fwd)

In a message dated 98-01-15 14:46:56 EST, you write:

<< 
 I recently was told not to use Acrylic because it was very lossy.
 But the one thing that I didn't understand is Glass, so I have been told
 is probably the worst capacitor to use, which I agree with. But what I
 don't understand is that Polyethylene has around a 2.2 k factor, right.
 Acrylic has around a 2.8 k factor. Glass has around a 5 or 6 k factor.
 On this I am assuming that the lower the k factor is, the lower the loss
 factor is. Is this right?? If so Acrylic is not a very bad dielectric
 to be used. In Fact compared to Glass my opinion would be that Acrylic
 would be a better dielectric than Glass by a long shot. Assume this
 polyethylene is a 1 on a 1-10 scale, glass is a 10 on a 1-10 scale.
 Based on that what would you rate Acrylic(plexiglass) between 1-10.
 Any input into this would be greatly appreiciated. Because if I am 
 correct about acrylic being many many times better than glass I am
 going to construct a cap using acrylic sheets and it is going to be 
 thoroughly saturated with oil&kraft paper between every plate.
 
 Tanks Chrisj
  >>
Chris,

I think perhaps you are confusing the dielectric constant ( K ) of the
material with the RF dissipation factor.  The best dielectric material for
Tesla caps is polyethylene, polypropylene or styrene.  These materials are
readily available and not too expensive.  I would difinitley use one of these.

Ed Sonderman