The effect of different type of crosslinks on electrical properties in crosslinked polyethylene

In this study LDPE has been crosslinked below and above T_m with the use of different techniques. Two of the materials were crosslinked with dicumyl peroxide (DCP), and one material was crosslinked with silane crosslinking, where silane groups are converted to silanol that form crosslinks via a condensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst. A major difference between the crosslinking methods is that peroxide crosslinking takes place in the melt, whereas silane crosslinking take place in the solid state. It has been found that degree of crosslinking and morphology is of importance for a number of electrical degradation properties, i.e. water treeing and electrical treeing.