Electrical conduction of polyethylene below and above its melting point

The electrical conduction of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has been investigated between 20 degrees C and 150 degrees C and up to 1 MV/cm. Special molded specimens and a self-compensating test cell were used; particular care has been taken in the control of experimental conditions. Absorption currents show broad maxima, while resorption currents display polarity reversal. Steady-state currents increase with a power law of the electrical field, and they tend to saturate at high fields and temperatures. Results are discussed in the framework of space-charge-limited conduction and dispersive hopping transport models.<
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