Dielectric constant and dielectric strength are two different properties of a material related to its electrical insulation properties.
The dielectric constant, also known as the relative permittivity, is a measure of a material’s ability to store electrical energy in an electric field. It is a dimensionless quantity that represents the ratio of the capacitance of a capacitor filled with the material to the capacitance of the same capacitor filled with a vacuum. The dielectric constant is a fundamental property of a material that affects its electrical behavior in a capacitor or other electrical device. Materials with high dielectric constants are able to store more electrical energy in a given volume, which can be useful in applications such as capacitors and insulators.
On the other hand, the dielectric strength is a measure of a material’s ability to withstand electric stress without electrical breakdown. It is the maximum electric field strength that a material can sustain before it begins to conduct electricity or break down. The dielectric strength is usually expressed in units of volts per unit of thickness, such as volts per mil or volts per micron. The dielectric strength is an important property for materials used in high-voltage applications, such as insulators and transformers.
In summary, the dielectric constant is a measure of a material’s ability to store electrical energy, while the dielectric strength is a measure of a material’s ability to withstand electrical stress without breaking down.
