Chemical and electrical characterization of XLPE cables exposed to radio-thermal aging

The aging of twisted pair cables with silane cross-linked polyethylene insulation has been examined by means of both chemical and electrical techniques. Radiochemical aging has been performed through three different dose rates in order to evaluate the contribution of the dose rate on the changing of the analyzed properties with aging. Correlation between the different techniques has been performed and the antioxidant contents has been successfully linked to the variation of the dielectric properties.