This master’s thesis not only studies the shelf life of electrolytics, but also some methods of reforming the delectric. The introduction describes the paper thusly:
The aluminum electrolytic capacitor is used extensively in the electric utility industry. A factor limiting the storage of spare capacitors is the integrity of the aluminum oxide dielectric, which over time breaks down contributing to a shelf life currently estimated at one nuclear power electric generating station to be approximately five years. This project examined the electrical characteristics of naturally aged capacitors of several different styles to determine if design parameters were still within limits. Additionally, the effectiveness of a technique known as “Reforming†was examined to determine its impact on those characteristics.
Thanks to Mike Mcarty for posting this link to the GlowBugs mailing list.
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