The Dielectric Constant of Polyethylene Under Shock Compression

The dielectric constant of high-density polyethylene was measured under shock compression in the pressure range from 16 to 246 kilobars. A charged-capacitor technique was used, and the dielectric constant was calculated from the charging current measured during shock compression. From 36 to 246 kilobars, the dielectric constant was found to increase according to the Drude equation, assuming constant polarizability and in this pressure range it was represented by the relationship k-1 1.47 rho, where rho is the density.