Some considerations on water tree in polyolefin

The influence of the properties of polyolefins on bow-tie trees was studied experimentally. Among the various polyolefins with different degrees of crystallinity, LDPE (low-density polyethylene) and XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene), both of which have medium crystallinity, show the easiest generation of bow-tie tree. In XLPE with a crystalline axis which has been oriented by the application of strain, bow-tie trees can easily propagate in the direction of its b axis, which is the direction of lamella growth. Polar-polymer-blend XLPE generally exhibits an inhibitory effect on the generation and propagation of bow-tie trees.<
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