Dielectric breakdown strength of thermally sprayed ceramic coatings: Effects of different test arrangements

Dielectric properties (e.g., DC resistivity and dielectric breakdown strength) of insulating thermally sprayed ceramic coatings differ depending on the form of electrical stress, ambient conditions, and aging of the coating, however, the test arrangements may also have a remarkable effect on the properties. In this paper, the breakdown strength of high velocity oxygen fuel-sprayed alumina coating was studied using six different test arrangements at room conditions in order to study the effects of different test and electrode arrangements on the breakdown behavior. In general, it was shown that test arrangements have a considerable influence on the results. Based on the results, the recommended testing method is to use embedded electrodes between the voltage electrode and the coating at least in DC tests to ensure a good contact with the surface. With and without embedded electrodes, the DBS was 31.7 and 41.8 V/µm, respectively. Under AC excitation, a rather good contact with the sample surface is, anyhow, in most cases acquired by a rather high partial discharge activity and no embedded electrodes are necessarily needed (DBS 29.2 V/µm). However, immersion of the sample in oil should strongly be avoided because the oil penetrates quickly into the coating affecting the DBS (81.2 V/µm).