Space charge distribution in polyethylene due to the water diffusion

Space charge distribution and water absorption in polyethylene (PE) are studied in this paper. PE of hydrophobicity has a content hydrophility by modification using Ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA) and sorbital. The amount of water absorption increases with increasing applied fields and times. The amount of water absorption under dc field case is larger than that under ac stress. The water absorption in PE modified is larger than that in pure PE. In spite of the increase in the water absorption with EAA and sorbital added, the results show that the PE cable modified by EAA and sorbital have a long life of insulation due to little the space charge and water treeing.