The dissipation factor of natural muscovite mica, as determined by this test method, is of practical importance as a measure of the electrical energy lost as heat in the mica serving as the dielectric substance of capacitors, or in other applications in which the electric field is applied perpendicular to the plane of cleavage. The dissipation factor is particularly important in applications using mica at radio frequencies and in some less extensive audio frequency applications. This test method is suitable for specification acceptance and dielectric-loss control tests (see the Significance and Use of Test Methods D150).

Relative Permittivity (Dielectric Constant)—The permittivity of natural muscovite mica is a measure of its relative ability to store electrostatic energy. Since the relative permittivity perpendicular to the cleavage plane is fairly uniform, regardless of origin, its practical significance is mainly for identification purposes, special uses, research, and design. If a loss index is desired, the value of the permittivity must be known (see the Significance and Use of Test Methods D150).

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the dissipation factor and the relative permittivity of natural block mica having thicknesses between 0.007 and 0.030 in. (0.18 and 0.77 mm) and mica films or capacitor splits between 0.0008 and 0.004 in. (0.02 and 0.10 mm) in thickness.

1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values in parentheses are for information purposes only.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. A specific warning statement is given in Section 7 and 6.1.1.

Note 1—Procedures for the measurement of dissipation factor and permittivity are given in IEC Publication 60371-2, but the details of the procedure are somewhat different from those specified in this test method.