Reduction of dissipation factor in power cable material systems containing metallocene- and post-metallocene-catalyzed polymers

Polymers made with metallocene or post-metallocene catalysts have been evaluated by many researchers for utility in wire and cable applications. Advantages such as improved processability, filler acceptance, and longer characteristic life in accelerating aging tests have been noted. However, the application of these materials has been limited due to an increase in power cable dissipation factor, considered to be the result of trace residues of the catalyst system. The impact of these polymer materials on dielectric losses of the cable system will be discussed, and previously published approaches to reduce dielectric losses will be reviewed. A new approach based upon incorporation of small amounts of an organoclay in the polymer has been discovered to be very effective in the reduction of dissipation factor in material systems for wire and cable applications.