Effect of Heat Treatment on Morphology and Dielectric Properties of Polyethylene

Abstract: Polyethylene is used extensively as an insulating material in high voltage power cables, it is therefore important to understand the behaviour of polyethylene under different conditions. This is a study regarding the relation of heat treatment and the effect of morphological changes on the dielectric properties of polyethylene samples. Polyethylene granulates were pressed to 1 mm thick circular plaque samples that were heat treated differently. The heat treatments were conducted in a vacuum oven. Heat treated samples were tested for morphological changes with Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and dielectric property changes were studied with an IDAX 300 Dielectric Spectroscopy Analyser and a TREK 30/30 high voltage amplifier, allowing measurements in the frequency range 0.1 mHz – 100 Hz for voltages up to 30 kV. The experimental results were analysed to understand the co-relation among these parameters. A literature review has been conducted on polyethylene morphology to understand their behaviour under different annealing conditions. A phenomenon that has been noticed during the experiments is that the samples swell with annealing; the thickness change effects the dielectric measurements as well. For this reason an extensive study has been conducted on the effect different temperature and time of heat treatment had on the samples. Heat treatment has effects on the properties of polyethylene samples, but the effect of heat treatment was not only on the morphology but also on the physical dimension of the samples. The samples change their thickness with heat treatment along with their morphology. The effect of morphological changes on the dielectric property of polyethylene samples has not been found to be eminent. This study was focused on relatively thicker samples (1 mm) compared to the existent scientific literature (0.1-0.2 mm). There are very limited research literatures available on the relation of morphology and electrical properties of polyethylene; this work is an attempt to contribute to the knowledge. Also the effect of samples swelling with annealing and its effect on electric measurements is not found in existing literatures. This work will also contribute understanding the effect of sample swelling on measurements.