Structural components of Low Density Polyethylene and their role in conduction

Low density polyethylene (LDPE), a promising member of polyethylene dielectric family, majorly used in high voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. Even with their associated advantages of excellent quality of insulation, LDPE suffers from the problems of space charge and leakage current, which directly and indirectly affect the performance of the insulator. As far as leakage current is concerned, various models have been put forth which explain the charge transfer mechanisms on the structural basis of LDPE. It was suggested in these mechanisms, that LDPE can be fully assumed as full of high density of traps, while completely neglecting its semi crystalline structure. In this paper detailed atomic level analysis of structural features of LDPE has been presented along with their respective influence on transportation of charge carriers. Among different structural regions of LDPE, which region play a dominant role in determining the conductivity of material, is also discussed.