Laboratory studies of treeing in solid dielectrics and voltage stabilization of polyethylene

This paper describes test methods used to study the phenomenon of electrical treeing in solid dielectrics. Measurements of double needle characteristic voltage and voltage life for a variety of useful dielectric materials are presented. The effects of additives upon treeing in polyethylene are discussed, and evidence is presented which indicates that the ionization potentials of aromatic hydrocarbons determine their behavior as voltage stabilizers.