| Abstract Scope |
Dielectric behavior refers to electric polarization behavior. This behavior is well-known for nonconductors, but is only emerging for conductors. The polarization results in capacitance, which comprises capacitances in series. The associated material property is the permittivity. The polarization also results in a voltage that impedes conduction. The polarization is due to the interaction of a small fraction of the free electrons with the atoms. Although the capacitance is low, the permittivity is high, as high as 1,000,000, as shown for low carbon steel and stainless steel. Cold work enhances the permittivity, due to the microstructural effect of the cold work and the microstructure affecting the abundance of sites for the electron-atom interaction. Another aspect of the dielectric behavior is electret (permanent electric dipole) behavior without poling. The electret gives a DC voltage, which increases with the dimensions, potentially allowing steel structures to provide energy through capacitance discharge, i.e., structural self-powering. |