The electrical decomposition of sulfur hexafluoride

Abstract

The great interest recently shown in the use of sulfur hexafluoride as a high-dielectric-strength gas has been accompanied by serious consideration of the possibility of the production of toxic and corrosive products in the event of electric breakdown of the gas. In this paper we shall formulate a mechanism for the decomposition and report our findings regarding the products formed under various conditions including electric stress below the corona point.