Polymer blend and nucleating agent: on structural evolution and space charge on polyethylene (PE) blends and Dibenzylidene Sorbitol

This paper examines the effects of 1,3:2,4-dibenzylidene sorbitol (DBS), a low-molecular organic molecule, on polyethylene space charge distribution. Morphological studies of the blends show the presence of a DBS network in the host system. Avrami analysis shows an increase in the nucleation density of PE with the nucleating agent. Accumulation of space charge is one of the main causes of failure for high voltage cables and it depends on many factors such as additives, materials and treatments. In this study we investigate the effects of different quantities of DBS in a blend of polyethylene and their space charge responses.