Effects of multistress aging (radiation, thermal, electrical) on polypropylene

Capacitor-grade polypropylene films were aged under multiple stresses (electrical, thermal, and radiation). The aging experiments were performed for both singular and simultaneous combined stresses. The polypropylene was exposed to combined neutron-gamma radiation with a total dose of 1.6*10/sup 6/ rad, electrical stress at 40 V/sub rms// mu m, and thermal stress at 90 degrees C. Post-aging diagnostics consisting of electrical, mechanical, physical and chemical characterization were carried out to identify degradation mechanisms for polypropylene films under multifactor stress aging. The most pronounced changes were observed in the mechanical properties of the film. Significant decrease in elongation at break and tensile strength proved deterioration of the polypropylene under combined neutron-gamma radiation. This decrease was caused by chain-scission of the polypropylene molecules. The temperature stress had an opposite effect, causing an increase in the above-mentioned properties and offsetting, therefore, the negative effect of radiation. Although changes were observed in the electrical properties, they were not as significant as those for the mechanical characteristics. It can be concluded, that the failure mechanism of the electrical insulation under multistress aging conditions could be a mechanical failure of the material, rather than direct homogeneous decay in the dielectric strength or thermal breakdown of the polymer.<
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