Suppression of discharge breakdown of polyethylene insulation during electron beam irradiation to power cable

In an attempt to apply the electron beam process to the crosslinking procedure for polyethylene insulation of high tension power cables, the suppression of discharge breakdown during irradiation has been investigated in the presence of crosslinking agents. Alkylamines of strong basicity and secondary or tertiary alcoholamines were found to be effective additives to suppress the discharge breakdown. The retardation of crosslinking by amines was minimized by reducing the amount of an amine and adding an alcohol instead. Polyethylene compounds contaning crosslinking agents, amines and alcohols which gave properties suitable for insulating a cable were obtained. The feasibility of these results are ascertained by irradiating cable specimens of a 22 kV class. (author)