Breakdown and space charge of LDPE films prepared using metallocene catalyst

Polyethylene (PE) has been widely used as electrical insulation for power cables because of its excellent electrical and mechanical properties. Low density PE (LDPE) prepared using a high pressure process has been widely used as insulating polymer of power cables. In this paper, the authors have investigated the performance of new LDPE prepared using metallocene catalyst (m-LDPE) as electrical insulating material. m-LDPE has narrower composition and molecular-weight distributions than LDPE. High-field electrical properties of m-LDPE at 90/spl deg/C were compared with those of the other LDPEs. In addition, the prestress effect and the effect of space charge on breakdown strength were discussed.