The Formation of Ionized Water Films on Dielectrics under Conditions of High Humidity

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Abstract
When a dielectric is placed in an atmosphere of 100 percent relative humidity, an ionized film of water forms, whose conductivity at the end of one minute is within a factor of ten of its equilibrium value, which is usually attained within an hour. This equilibrium conductivity ranges from essentially zero for certain hydrocarbon waxes, silicone resins and silicone‐treated glass to 100 micromhos for ordinary glass and quartz. The ionized water film also produces interfacial polarization at its interface with the dielectric, which produces a marked increase in both capacitance and dissipation factor at audiofrequencies. This polarization builds up in the same manner as the conductivity. Its relaxation frequency appears to be in the audio‐range.

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