Stress due to electric charge density distribution in a dielectric slab

The spatial distribution of electric field due to an imposed electric charge density profile in an infinite slab of dielectric material is derived analytically by integrating Gauss’s law. Various charge density distributions are considered, including exponential and power-law forms. The Maxwell stress tensor is used to compute a notional static stress in the material due to the charge density and its electric field. Characteristics of the electric field and stress distributions are computed for example cases in polyethylene, showing that field magnitudes exceeding the dielectric strength would be required in order to achieve a stress exceeding the ultimate tensile strength. •Stress in polyethylene due to electrostatic charge is computed using Gauss’s law.•This is done analytically for one-dimensional charge density profiles.•Calculation produces a stress-electric field scaling relationship.•Shows that stress beyond tensile strength requires field beyond breakdown limit.