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Effects of processing method on the structure and electrical performance of polypropylene containing intrinsic elastomers for cable insulation applications

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Abstract

With the increased worldwide awareness of sustainable development, the development of polypropylene (PP)-based insulation material is highly recommended. However, uncovering the processing-structure-property relationship of PP insulation materials for recyclable cables is still a long-standing issue. In this study, PP in-reactor alloys containing intrinsic elastomer were considered an important component to substitute crosslinked polyethylene. We studied the effects of processing methods on the phase morphology, crystalline structure, and electrical properties of PP in-reactor alloys. The lower cooling rate was conducive to constructing smaller rubber phase, and higher crystallinity with a small number of β crystals, which could form deep trap energy levels due to their reduced free volume in β crystals and boundaries among β crystals. The suitable thermal treatment temperature had a positive effect on eliminating defects in the interface and facilitating the perfection of PP crystals. As a result, PP films exhibited an enhanced breakdown strength. The exploration of the relationship between processing technology, microscopic structure, and macroscopic performance is expected to has significant guidance for the manufacture of PP-based recyclable cables.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the financial support of the Science and Technology Project of China Southern Power Grid Company Limited (KYKJXM20220013).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Electric Power Research Institute, China Southern Power Grid, Guangzhou, 510663, China

    Yunpeng Zhan, Shuai Hou, Baojun Hui, Mingli Fu & Lei Jia

  2. National Engineering Research Center of UHV Technology and New Electrical Equipment Basis, Kunming, 651701, China

    Yunpeng Zhan, Shuai Hou, Baojun Hui, Yuting Zhang, Delong Li, Mingli Fu & Lei Jia

  3. China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd, Guangzhou, 510663, China

    Lingmeng Fan

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  1. Yunpeng Zhan
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Zhan, Y., Hou, S., Hui, B. et al. Effects of processing method on the structure and electrical performance of polypropylene containing intrinsic elastomers for cable insulation applications. J Polym Res 31, 37 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-024-03876-x

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