Space charge, oxidation and morphology changes in low density polyethylene during high voltage DC ageing

It is important to get increased knowledge on how extruded insulation performs under HVDC ageing. In this work low density polyethylene with and without an antioxidant additive was subjected to thermal and electrical ageing. During ageing the crystallinity increased in both materials but no changes in the oxidation level was observed. The antioxidant additive had a major effect on the space charge accumulation during ageing.