Conduction and thermally stimulated discharge currents in aramid paper

Conduction currents and thermally stimulated discharge (TSD) currents were studied in aramid paper at various field strengths and temperatures. At low field strengths the conductivity is ohmic, and at higher field strengths (up to 30 MV/m), ionic conduction is a possible mechanism. The activation energy of low field conduction is determined and at high electric fields the hopping distance for ions is in the range of 4.4 to 8.0 nm. TSD currents are also measured at various poling fields, formation and storage times, and rates of heating. The TSD current shows a peak at 135 degrees C for a rate of heating of 1 K/min and shifts to a higher value when the rate of heating is increased. The peak current and the charge released to the external circuit is proportional to the poling field. The observed peak is attributed to the depolarization of permanent dipoles with a room temperature relaxation time of 5.3*10/sup 5/ s.>