Electro-Chemical Treeing in Ethylene-Propylene Rubber Compounds

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A series of Ethylene-Propylene Diene (EPDM) compounds, designed to be transparent or translucent in nature, were formulated for the purpose of studying electro-chemical treeing, Systems were tested in sheet form for evaluation of physical properties and crosslinking behavior, and extruded under laboratory conditions over 14 AWG bare copper wire into thin wall mini-cables. Cables were then subjected to the Phelps Dodge Accelerated Treeing Test. All EPDM systems exhibited electro-chemical tree formation to some extent; trees originated at the site of contaminants and at the conductor. Treeing patterns observed are of similar appearance to those formed in Polyethylene and Crosslinked Polyethylene insulation. The nature of the EPDM systems, preparation techniques, physical prop erties and treeing effects are discussed. Results indicated that electro- chemical treeing is a phenomenon characteristic of both rubbery and semi crystalline polymeric materials.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: