Effect of ferrocene derivatives on the dielectric properties of polyethylene

In order to improve the stabilization of ferrocene, two kinds of ferrocene derivatives have been synthesized. The effects of ferrocene and its derivatives on dielectric properties of PE and XLPE (cross-linked polyethylene) are investigated in detail. The test results show that the initiation voltage of treeing and the breakdown strength of PE are enhanced by 61% and 10%, respectively, when the content of ferrocene derivative B is 1%. Using the ferrocene derivative B not only increases the treeing initiation voltage and inhibits the growth of treeing, but also increases the breakdown strength in PE and XLPE. The dielectric loss of PE and XLPE blended with ferrocene derivative B is permissible for HV plastic cable. The thermal stability of ferrocene derivative blended in PE is much better than that of ferrocene. Through measurements of the TSC (thermally stimulated current) of the samples and the relation between electric conduction and electrical stress, the mechanism of treeing inhibition by additives is investigated