Space charge accumulation and micro-structure of cross-linked polyethylene

In this paper, laser induced pressure pulse (LIPP) method and electrostatic force microscopy (EFM) method are utilized to investigate the distribution of space charge in cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE), and the action on the groups of XLPE by the accumulative charge are investigated by infrared spectroscopy (IR) method. It was found that space charge in the sample has obvious influence on the vibration of chemical group, especially on group OH, group CH3 and group CH2. Group vibration affected considerably by space charge in XLPE sample locates on the interface between crystalline and amorphous domains. The experimental results also indicate that positive charge compared to negative charge has a different effect on bands.