Additive effect on dielectric spectrum of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) used in nuclear power plant cables

This article deals with the modification on electric behavior of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) for nuclear applications due to the effect of additives and fillers. Material responses were investigated through dielectric spectroscopy which appeared to be very sensitive to the change in filler composition. It is shown that the addition of antioxidants and fire-retardant fillers provides a modification on the imaginary and real parts of permittivity spectra with respect to the base material. Furthermore, the influence of degassing treatment and the resulting crosslinking by-products removal on dielectric spectra are here investigated.