Space Charge Behavior in AC Electrically Aged Low-Density Polyethylene Films

In order to study the effect of AC aging on space charge characteristics of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films, an AC electric field of 50 kV/mm (peak value) was adopted for the accelerated aging test and space charge measurements of AC aged LDPE films were carried out subsequently. The results show that no significant space charge accumulation in the LDPE samples aged under a 50 kV/mm AC electric field. It can be seen that a significant positive space charge accumulation occurs inside the sample, when DC electric fields were applied to the AC aged LDPE samples. The long-term AC aging also causes more and deeper cracks on the surface of LDPE samples. Moreover, AC aging promotes the oxidation reaction of LDPE. The longer the aging time, the higher the degree of oxidation. On this basis, the probable relationship between space charge characteristics and material physicochemical properties of LDPE during AC electrical aging is clarified.