DIELECTRIC STRENGTH

Test Method:: ASTM D 149, ISO-1325, BS-2782 Method 201 A, DIN-53483 Test specimen size: 50 mm or 100 mm dia disc with 3.0 mm thickness When an insulator is subjected to increasingly high voltage, it eventually breaks down and allows a current to pass. The voltage reached just before it breaks down divided by the thickness of the sample is known as the Dielectric strength of the material measured in volts/mil. Dielectric strength = Breakdown voltage/Thickness (mil) It is generally measured by putting electrodes on either side of the test specimen and increasing the voltage at a controlled rate. Factors that affect the results are: 1. Temperature & relative humidity 2. Rate of increase in voltage 3. Sample thickness & electrode area 4. Conditioning of sample 5. Any contamination or internal voids in the 6. Sample may cause for premature failure.

DIELECTRIC STRENGTH
PFA (fluorocarbon) CPVC Rigid PVC Ionomer Polyester(thermoplastic) Polypropylene Polystyrene (high impact) FEP(fluorocarbon) Nylons Polystyrene(General purpose) Acetals PTFE fluorocarbon PPO Polyphenylene sulfide Polyethylene Polycarbonate ABS Phenolics Dielectric strength (V/mil) 2000 1200-1500 800-1400 1000 600-750 650 650 600 350-560 500 500 500 500 490 480 450 415 240-340

ARC RESISTANCE
Test Method: ASTM D 495 Test specimen size: 50 mm dia disc with 3.00 mm thickness It is defined on the time required for a given electrical current to render the surface of a material conductive because of contamination by arcing. This test is more applicable for thermoset plastics, since a conductive path can be formed from the decomposition products by this kind of localized heating. This test results is affected by temperature, moisture contaminations in the plastic materials High values would be advantageous in electrical applications where the possibility of arcing exists. e.g.: Switches, Circuit breakers, Automotive ignition components and High voltage apparatus

ARC RESISTANCE

Plastics
Polycarbonate (1040%G.F) Polycarbonate Polystyrene(high impact) ABS Polystyrene (general purpose) Rigid PVC Polysulfone Urea Formaldehyde Ionomer SAN Epoxy Acetal (Homopolymer) Polyethylene (low density) Polypropylene PTFE Acrylics

Arc Resistance (sec.)

5-120 10-120 20-100 50-85 60-80 60-80 75-190 80-150 90-140 100-150 120-150 130 135-160 135-180 >200 No track

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

1. The tracking index is the relative resistance of electrical insulating materials to tracking when the surface is exposed - under electrical stress - to contaminants containing water. 2. Comparative Tracking Index, or CTI, and CTI-M tests are undertaken to evaluate the safety of components carrying live parts: insulating material between live parts must be resistant to tracking. 3. CTI is defined as the maximum voltage at which no failure occurs at 50 drops of ammonium chloride in water.

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

1. Materials meeting the CTI requirements at 600 Volts are called high tracking resins. 2. The CTI test procedure is complex. Influencing factors are the condition of the electrodes, electrolyte and sample surface, and of the applied voltage. Values can be lowered by 3. additives such as pigments - in particular carbon black flame retardants glass fibres 4. Thus black, FR and GF materials in general, are not recommended when tracking resistance is a key requirement. Minerals (TiO2) tend to raise CTI values.