INFLUENCE OF BATIO3 ADDITIVE AND ELECTRODE MATERIAL ON SPACE-CHARGE FORMATION IN POLYETHYLENE - EVIDENCE FROM THERMAL STEP SPACE-CHARGE MEASUREMENTS

The effects of 5% wt BaTiO3 additive and of electrode material on spac e charge formation and electric field distribution in low density poly ethylene (LDPE) were investigated using a thermal step technique. Spac e charge was formed at an average de field of similar to 28 kV/mm and at 50 degrees C. Results indicate that the addition of BaTiO3 to LDPE has considerably reduced the remanent space charge and electric field and changed their distribution patterns in the doped material when com pared with the plain material. It is also shown that the remanent spac e charge and electric field in plain LDPE are strongly dependent on th e type of electrode material.