The effect of compressibility on breakdown and modification of the surface roughness factor in compressed $SF_8$

A pressure dependence in the value of Es/p at a constant pd is observed in sulphur hexafluoride at pressures in excess of about one bar. This is explained in terms of the non-idealgas behavior of SF$_{6}$ which has a significant influence on the interpretation of electrical breakdown of this gas. The criterions for breakdown at low pressures and in the presence of rough electrodes are modified to allow this phenomeneon.n.