Solid breakdown process from viewpoint of nature of pre-breakdown current in polymeric insulating materials

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Applied Physics Vol. 24; no. 12; pp. 1619 - 1622
• Main Authors: HIKITA, M, KANNO, I, SAWA, G, IEDA, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Japanese journal of applied physics 01.12.1985
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Electrical, magnetic and optical properties; Exact sciences and technology; Organic polymers; Physicochemistry of polymers; Properties and characterization; Ethylene terephthalate polymer; Solid state; Electric breakdown; Electrical properties; Dielectric materials; Vinylidene fluoride polymer; Amidoimide polymer; Testing equipment; Thin film
• ISSN: 0021-4922; 1347-4065
• DOI: 10.1143/jjap.24.1619

Solid breakdown process was discussed on the basis of the experimental results on the electrical conduction just prior to breakdown for various polymeric insulating materials. For polyamideimide (PAI) and non-stretched polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), the pre-breakdown current sharply increased from an order of 1 µs before breakdown. For polytheylene terephthalate (PET) and stretched PVDF, a sharp current increase could not be detected till about 100 ns, which was a limit of time resolution. Assuming that this sharp current increase is caused by the increase of filamentary current due to the temperature rise of a small spot, we discussed the maximum radius of the filament. It was concluded that for leading to filamentary thermal breakdown the radius of the filament should be less than about 3.5 µm for PAI and non-stretched PVDF, and 1.3 µm for stretched PVDF and 3000 Å for PET.