Compatibility dependent space charge accumulation behavior of polypropylene/elastomer blend for HVDC cable insulation

Polypropylene (PP)/elastomer blend is a promising candidate for high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable insulation. Space charge accumulation in HVDC cable is an important factor for safe and stable operation of HVDC transmission system. In this paper, propylene based elastomer (PBE) and ethylene-octene copolymer elastomer (EOC) were added into PP to prepare the blend sample. Space charge accumulation behavior was estimated by the pulsed electro-acoustic (PEA) method, and the influence of compatibility between the PP and the elastomer on the charge accumulation behavior was investigated. Polarized optical microscope (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements were performed to assist the understanding of the compatibility dependent space charge accumulation behavior. The obtained results showed that the amount of space charge in the PP/PBE blend was lower than that in the PP/EOC blend. As compared with the PP/EOC blend, higher crystallinity with integrated crystal morphology and beta-crystal form were observed in the PP/PBE blend for better compatibility between PP and PBE. It is suggested that deeper trap centers are formed in the PP/PBE blend than in the PP/EOC blend due to the compatibility, by which the charge injection is restricted.