Surrace and Volume Phenomena in Dielectric Breakdown of Polyethylene

This is a progress report on the authors' studies of the mechanism of longterm dielectric breakdown in polyethylene; the report wus first given in 1948. Testing has been accelerated by using higher than power frequencies. Earlier testing concerned the effects of surface ionization on life; current studies include solid breakdown. To date the authors have been unable to produce solid breakdown in polyethylene which was not preceded and caused by surface ionization.