The effect of thermal aging on the electrical properties of polyvinyl chloride1 (PVC)

Abstract

Polymeric materials have been used as insulation materials in medium and high voltage cables and in the manufacture of end boxes and junction boxes

for a long time. These materials began to take the place of traditional ceramic insulators due to their good electrical and physical properties such as hydrophobicity, lightness, flexibility, non-fracture and ease of transportation and installation. One of the most important materials, which is used in the manufacture of electrical cables are: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), and clamp polyethylene (XLPE). Where polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is used to insulate low voltage cables, while we use polyethylene to insulate medium and high voltage cables due to the good electrical and non-electrical properties of these materials.

In practical life, organic materials are exposed to all environmental conditions such as heat, pollution, moisture and pressure. These conditions affect the properties of organic materials and decline in these properties. Therefore, a number of PVC samples were taken and subjected to thermal aging for different times from one sample to another. Then a study was conducted on the electrical and mechanical properties of the thermally treated samples and compared with the virgin sample (the witness).

The electrical and mechanical properties are discussed with the increase in the aging period of the oven and the reasons, which caused these changes in the mentioned properties, are explained.