Influence of changes in the physical and chemical environment on the growth of water trees in polyolefins

The complex phenomenon of water treeing has been extensively researched since first reported by Lawson and Vahlstrom over 10 years ago [1]. It is well documented that the environment near the treeing inception point plays a role in the treeing process and that some chemicals added to the system can supress initial tree growth [2–5], After years of studying the role of additives, however, the actual mechanisms responsible for water treeing are still not clear.