Electrical Tree Properties for PP/POE Blends under Mechanical Stress

PP/POE blends are widely used as cable materials due to their recyclability and good mechanical properties, making them potential alternative to cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE). However, the influence of mechanical stretching on the electrical tree behavior in blends needs further clarification. Based on the phase-field method, the paper investigates the effect of mechanical stretching on the tree behavior and the spatial electric field. The results indicate that mechanical stretching results in apparent changes in the distortion degree and area of electric field in PP/POE blends. Furthermore, the electric field distortion is found to have a crucial impact on the electrical tree behavior.