The influence of the mechanical strain on the tree inception and growth in polymeric dielectrics such as polymethyl methacrylate, polystyrene and polycarbonate was studied in this work. The tree inception and growth process in transparent dielectrics was monitored by the optical method in white and polarized light in the divergent field under AC voltage. It has been found that the tree-inception time and the tree-growth time are dependent on a residual mechanical strain in the vicinity of the needle tip and in the sample volume. The tree inception-time may be increased by means of the control of the mechanical strain in the vicinity of the needle tip. Not only the tree-inception and growth time but also the tree shape depends on residual mechanical strain.
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