Analysis of a new sample configuration for the growth and study of vented water trees [in LDPE]

A new sample configuration for the growth and analysis of vented water trees is reported. The test geometry is a variation of the water electrode and utilizes a cold-pressed cut whose depth varies from end-to-end. An analysis of the electric field associated with the sample geometry is provided with a description of the morphology of the trees grown. Evidence is presented that indicates singularities are not the only field characteristic which define tree morphology. Results also indicate that the regions within ~3 μm of the initiation sites contain microvoid concentrations orders of magnitude higher than the bulk of the treed volume