Zener tunneling in conductive graphite/epoxy composites: Dielectric breakdown aspects

The electrical responses of conductive graphite/epoxy composites subjected to an applied electric field were investigated. The results showed that reversible dielectric breakdown can easily occur inside the composites even under low macroscopic field strengths. This is attributed to the Zener effect induced by an intense internal electric field. The dielectric breakdown can yield new conducting paths in the graphite/epoxy composites, thereby contributing to overall electrical conduction process.