Effects of crystallinity on the space charge properties of polyethylene

In this paper, three kinds of annealing methods with different cooling rates are used to prepare low-density polyethylene (LDPE) samples with different microstructure in crystallinity. The effects of crystallinity on space charge properties are investigated. It was found that homo-charges are easier to accumulate in high rate cooling sample and hetero-charges are easier to accumulate near cathode in low rate cooling sample. It was also found that charge movement and neutralization occurs with the increases of the applied field and the voltage applying duration. Based on these results, the influence of crystallinity on space charge accumulation is emphasized.