Polarization current in fluoropolymer materials

Abstract

Studies on Thermally Stimulated Polarization Currents (TSPC) in fluoropolymer films are presented in this paper. The influences of poling field, heating rate and electrode material on TSPC are investigated. Results show that higher poling fields yield higher currents. At the same temperature, slower heating rates will generate higher TSPC magnitudes. Electrode material also influences TSPC magnitude. TSP currents in samples with aluminum electrodes are higher than those with silver electrodes. Post-TSP currents in fluoropolymer are observed to continue to increase with time after the sample has been switched to an isothermal mode. Post-TSP currents under the same poling field and different heating rates tend to saturate to the same level. The technique of consecutive TSPC measurements is employed to separate different components of TSPC. It is shown that the mechanism of TSPC in fluoropolymer is due to charge.