Behaviour of Cross-linked Polyethylene Used as High Voltage Power Cables Insulation Due to Environmental Constraints

Crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) power cables are increasingly used in power distribution system for their excellent mechanical and electrical performance. Nevertheless, it is well known that degradation under environmental conditions is the major problem in the use of this material as insulation in cables. In this paper, artificial weathering tests on XLPE used as high voltage power cables insulation were conducted. To do so, experiment investigations such as mechanical tests, contact angle measurement and water absorption quantification were used to evaluate the impact of UV and thermal aging on the insulating material properties. In order to highlight the structural changes induced by the constraints, a complementary technique, namely FTIR spectroscopy, was monitored. Results show that UV and thermal aging causes significant evolutions in the XLPE properties.