Dielectric breakdown of polyvinylidene fluoride and its comparisons with other polymers

Using ac and dc methods, we have investigated the dielectric strengths of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)—a ferroelectric/piezoelectric polymer, and some nonferroelectric polymers. The ac to dc ratio of breakdown strengths for PVDF is significantly lower than for other polymers. This observation is discussed in terms of the specific dielectric properties of PVDF, namely, its ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity.