Space charge measurement techniques and space charge in polyethylene

Abstract

Recently, several new techniques such as LIPP, PIPS, PEA and TP methods have been developed to measure directly the space charge distributions in insulating polymers. Many papers have been published on space charge in insulating materials. In this paper, the space charge measurement techniques and space charge in polyethylene are reviewed. The space charge distributions in polyethylene depend strongly upon additives (antioxidants, antistatic agents, etc.), oxidation products, byproducts from the crosslinking reaction (acetophenone, etc.). Some of them enhance electron (or hole) injection from the electrode and, as a result, homo space charge is formed. Ionic carriers are supplied from some impurities to form hetero space charge. Space charge distributions are also sensitive to the electrode material and the interface between different materials. From the space charge behavior observed, the space charge effects on the high-field conduction and breakdown phenomena have been discussed quantitatively and some of the high-field phenomena in polyethylene have been elucidated.