Studies on water treeing and chemiluminescence on irradiated polyethylene [insulated cables]

The effect of /spl gamma/-radiations on the growth kinetics of water trees is examined using the CNRS laboratory model in LDPE cable insulation samples of different origins. The effect of radiations on the material is studied from crosslinking degree measurements, FTIR spectroscopy and chemiluminescence. Correlations between the nonuniformity of the degradation and the growth of water trees are observed.