A meso-macro approach of the dielectric breakdown in heterogeneous systems: experimental results and comparison to numerical simulation

Dielectric breakdown experiments of insulator-insulator composites with randomly dispersed filler might lead to various types of breakdown trees. To understand the interdependence between tree morphologies and geometrical arrangements of the phases, several numerical methods, based on the resistor-short breakdown model, can be found in the literature. Nowadays, these models are being developed to understand the influence of the fillers on the dielectric breakdown, including, for instance, the so-called barrier effect. It is also the aim of the present paper which is specifically devoted to a linear approximation. However the general approach presented might involve numerous extensions namely description of interfacial polarization effect and non-linear resistive or capacitive elements. These future developments could concern both homogenization and breakdown issues.