Dynamic of Space Charge in Electron-Beam Irradiated Cross-Linked PolyEthylene

The electrical properties of Crosslinked PolyEthylene -XLPE- material have been studied for many years as it is used for cable applications. In this work, XLPE peelings, previously submitted to thermal ageing are investigated under electronic irradiation. FTIR spectra did not reveal specific thermal ageing signatures. The space charge distribution has been analyzed by Pulsed Electro-Acoustic method during and after application of a DC field. The space charge profiles appear to be very dependent on the electron beam energy that determines the electron penetration depth and irradiated volume. Most of the space charge features appear linked to charge redistribution in the bulk following irradiation.