A Possible Mechanism for Propagation of Water Trees from Water Electrodes

In order to clarify the propagation mechanisms of water trees, an ac voltage was applied to the water electrodes and the propagation of water trees was studied. The length of the water trees generated from water electrodes is proportional to the time of voltage application. The propagation rate increases as the frequency of the. applied voltage is increased. The rate also increases when the conductivity of the water is increased. Light emission was observed from water trees. Oxygen production was observed by iodostarch color reaction in the water electrodes. It is concluded that water trees are generated by partial discharge which decomposes the water to generate high pressure which deteriorates polyethylene.