Theoretical Analysis of the Synergism in the Dielectric Strength for SF₆/CF₄ Mixtures

Available cross section data of electron–molecule processes are scaled to simulate the behavior of the dielectric strength (DS) in SF₆ and CF₄ gases at the level of the two-term approximation of the Boltzmann equation solution corresponding to the homogeneous electric field model. Then, the DS of mixtures is evaluated and compared to experimental data. The reasons of the synergism and its “asymmetry” relative to both components in SF₆/CF₄ mixtures are analyzed in terms of rate constant variations with respect to their values for the pure gases as well as in terms of weighted rate constants for all channels of electron energy losses relevant under breakdown conditions.