Effects of high-energy electron radiation on polypropylene dielectric

Thesis/Dissertation · Fri Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:7031790

Hammoud, A N

Polypropylene, a polymeric materials widely used as the main dielectric in many high-voltage components such as capacitors and cables, was exposed to electron irradiation in air at room temperature. The 25.4-{mu}m-thick dry polypropylene films were irradiated to different doses up to 10{sup 8} rads with electron beam having energies of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 MeV. Monoisopropyl biphenyl (MIPB)-impregnated polypropylene films were also exposed to 1-MeV electron beam to doses up to 10{sup 8} rads and the post-irradiation effects on the electrical, mechanical, and morphological and chemical properties of the films were evaluated. The electrical properties included the AC, DC and pulsed breakdown strengths, dielectric constant, dissipation factor, conductivity, and pulsed life-endurance. The mechanical properties comprised the Young's modulus, elongation-at-break, tensile strength, complex modulus, and mechanical loss. Finally, the morphological and chemical diagnoses carried out included surface morphology, elemental analysis, crystallinity changes, and identification of newly formed bonds and degree of oxidation. The results obtained indicate that the dry polypropylene films started to exhibit degradation at doses as low as 10{sup 6} rads. The properties that were mostly affected included the film's tensile properties, pulsed life, dissipation factor, and electrical conductivity.

• Research Organization: State Univ. of New York, Buffalo, NY (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7031790
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360605* -- Materials-- Radiation Effects
BEAMS
DIELECTRIC MATERIALS
ELECTRON BEAMS
ENERGY RANGE
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 100-1000
LEPTON BEAMS
MATERIALS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MEV RANGE
MEV RANGE 01-10
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PARTICLE BEAMS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
POLYMERS
POLYOLEFINS
POLYPROPYLENE
RADIATION EFFECTS