Development of shock resistant silicon carbide gas ignition devices

A formal program of hot-surface gas-ignition-device mechanical performance evaluation was conducted using standardized testing procedures and conditions. The results of this testing have provided the following findings: (1) silicon-carbide igniters exhibit a high level of structural strength as characterized by acceleration boundary levels; the G-forces that these products can withstand would typically classify them as having `rugged performance´; (2) a significant improvement in the mechanical performance of spiral-design igniters is attained by increasing the structural strength of the wafer support; (3) further improvement in the mechanical performance of spiral design igniters is attained by incorporating a flexible metal mounting to absorb shock energy; a tenfold increase in the minimum energy change required to damage the igniter device results; and (4) the velocity change boundary or work requirement for damage is the most critical factor in limiting the present mechanical performance of silicon-carbide hot-surface gas-ignition devices mounted in appliances