The dc volume resistivity of plasticized PVC

A study has been made of the dc volume resistivity of plasticized PVC using a guarded-electrode system in a sensitive vibrating capacitor–electrometer circuit. Transient effects were found to be pronounced in all but the least plasticized compositions, and the behavior in general was non-Ohmic. The resistivity decreases with plasticizer concentration and with temperature; an Arrhenius-type relationship is observed and resistivity undergoes an inflection at the glass transition temperature. The mechanism of conduction appears to be electrolytic rather than charge injection or semiconduction.