Cross-linking tendency and photo-oxidation degradation in Silane-grafted LDPE insulation under accelerated cyclic weathering aging

Authors

  • S. Afeissa University of Djelfa
  • Larbi BOUKEZZI University of Djelfa
  • L. Bessissa University of Djelfa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31349/RevMexFis.70.021003

Keywords:

Si-g-LDPE; weathering aging; photo-oxidation; FTIR; cross-linking; Hot-Set-Test

Abstract

Si-g-LDPE (Silane-grafted LDPE) is the based material of silane-crosslinked polyethylene (Si-XLPE) nominated to be used in renewable energy (photovoltaic) structures for the reason of its good behavior under weathering circumstances. The present study has an attempt to follow up the cross-linking process of Si-g-LDPE under cyclic accelerated weathering aging and to track its photo and thermo-oxidative degradation at both microscopic and macroscopic scales. The realized experiments consist to carry out cyclic accelerated weathering aging of 1152 hours, using QUV chamber, on films of Si-g-LDPE. The process of cross-linking is checked by using Hot-Set-Test measurements and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Evolution of mechanical properties and carbonyl index are used as relevant precursors of photo and thermo-oxidation degradation. Additional information on the microstructural changes (crystallinity) and on the optical properties is gained by using X-ray difractometry and UV-visible measurements. Our findings lead to a result that Si-g-LDPE has a big ability to crosslink under cyclic weathering aging. The elastic behavior of the material was enhanced gradually with increasing aging time. The elastic behavior enhancement is a consequence of crosslink network density increase. FTIR results support perfectly the Hot-Set-Test results by the increase of single or multi-siloxane linkages absorption bands. These linkages modify the digital fingerprint of the material. Our results ascertained also that we can relate the elongation at break and tensile strength changes to the changes in the carbonyl index. Both characteristics are related to the photo and thermo-oxidation degradation. Photo-oxidation degradation leads to the decrease of mechanical properties and to the increase of carbonyl index. An abrupt and sharp increase at the beginning of aging in the crystallinity of the material followed by a level-off state was observed. Finally, the optical properties (band gaps, Urbach energy and dielectric constant) are greatly affected by the weathering aging process.

References

C. Harper, R.M. Sampson, Handbook of electronic materials and process, (McGraw-Hill, New York, 1994).

J. Thomas, et al., Recent advances in cross-linked polyethylene-based nanocomposites for high voltage engineering applications: a critical review, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 58(46) (2019) 20863.

N.M. Sarkari, M. Mohseni, M. Ebrahimi, Examining impact of vapor-induced crosslinking duration on dynamic mechanical and static mechanical characteristics of silane-water crosslinked polyethylene compound, Polym. Test. 93 (2021) 106933.

S.M. Tamboli, S.T. Mhaskie, D.D. Kale, Crosslinked polyethylene, Ind. J. Chem. Technol. 11 (2004) 853.

J.Barzin, H. Azizi, J.Morshedian, Preparation of silane-grafted and moisture crosslinked low density polyethylene. Part II: Electrical, thermal and mechanical properties, Polymer-Plastics Technol. Eng. 46(3) (2007) 305.

Y.T. Shieh, J.S. Chen, C.C. Lin, Thermal fractionation and crystallization enhancement of silane-grafted water-crosslinked low density polyethylene, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 81 (2001) 591.

G.B. Shah, M.Fuzail, J. Anwar, Aspects of the crosslinking of polyethylene with vinyl silane, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 92 (2004) 3796.

G. Grause, M.F. Chien, C. Inoue, changes during the weathering of polyolefins, Polym. Degrad. Stab.181 (2020) 109364.

N. Rajagopalanand, A.S. Khanna, Effect of methyltrimethoxysilane modification on yellowing of epoxy coating on UV(B) exposure, J. Coat. 2014 (2014), 515470.

A. Gazel, J. Lemaire, P. Laurenson, G. Roche, Photooxidation of silane crosslinked polyethylene, Makromol. Chem., Rapid Commun. 6 (1985) 235.

M. Celina, G. A. George, Characterization and degradation studies of peroxide and silane crosslinked polyethylene, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 48 (1995) 297.

S. Hettal, S. Roland, X. Colin, Consequences of radiothermal ageing on the crystalline morphology of additive-free silane-crosslinked polyethylene, Polym. 14 (2022) 2912.

S. Hettal, S.V. Suraci, S. Roland, D. Fabiani, X. Colin, Towards a kinetic modeling of the changes in the electrical properties of cable insulation during radio-thermal ageing in nuclear power plants. Application to silane-crosslinked polyethylene, Polym.13 (2021) 4427.

S. Hettal, S. Roland, K. Sipila, H. Joki, X. Colin, A New kinetic modeling approach for predicting the lifetime of ATH-filled silane cross-linked polyethylene in a nuclear environment, Polym. 14 (2022) 1492.

S. Hettal, S. Roland, K. Sipila, H. Joki, X. Colin, A new analytical model for predicting the radio-thermal oxidation kinetics and the lifetime of electric cable insulation in nuclear power plants. Application to silane cross-linked polyethylene, Polym. Degrad. Stab.185 (2021) 109492.

A. Hedir, M. Moudoud, O. Lamrous, S. Rondot, O. Jbara, P. Dony, Ultraviolet radiation aging impact on physicochemical properties of crosslinked polyethylene cable insulation, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 137(16) (2019) 48575.

A.K. Rodriguez, B. Mansoor, G. Ayoub, X. Colin, A.A. Benzerga, Effect of UV-aging on the mechanical and fracture behavior of low density polyethylene, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 180 (2020) 109185.

A.V. Tobolsky, Properties and structure of polymers, (Wiley, New York, 1967).

L. Boukezzi, M. Nedjar, L. Mokhnache, M. Lallouani, A. Boubakeur, Thermal aging of cross-linked polyethylene, Annales de Chimie, Science des Matériaux, 31(5) (2006) 561.

Y. Mecheri, L. Boukezzi, A. Boubakeur, M. Lallouani, Dielectric and mechanical behaviour of cross-linked polyethylene under thermal aging, IEEE, Annual Report of Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena (CEIDP), 560-563, 2000.

N.M. Sarkari, M. Mohseni, M. Ebrahimi, Examining impact of vapor-induced crosslinking duration on dynamic mechanical and static mechanical characteristics of silane-water crosslinked polyethylene compound, Polym. Test. 93 (2021) 106933.

K. Sirisinha, P. Chuaythong, Reprocessable silane-crosslinked polyethylene: property and utilization as toughness enhancer for high-density polyethylene, J. Mater. Sci. 49 (2014) 5182.

K. Sirisinha, M. Boonkongkaew, Improved silane grafting of high-density polyethylene in the melt by using a binary initiator and the properties of silane-crosslinked products, J. Polym. Res. 20 (2013) 120.

J.M. Antonucci, S.H. Dickens, B.O. Fowler, H.H. Xu, W.G. McDonough, Chemistry of silanes : interfaces in dental polymers and composites, J. Res. Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol.110(5) 2005 541.

K. Adachi, T. Hirano, K. Fukuda, K. Nakamae, Accelerated silane water-crosslinking kinetics of ethylene–propylene copolymer by boron trifluoride complexes, Macromol. React. Eng. 1(3) (2007) 313.

M. Peter, S. Kelch, H. Berke, FTIR investigations on hydrolysis and condensation reactions of alkoxysilane terminated polymers for use in adhesives and sealants, Int. J. Adhes. Adhes. 64 (2015) 153.

Y. Shieh, C. Liu, Silane grafting reactions of LDPE, HDPE and LLDPE, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 74(14) (1999) 3404.

H. Azizi, J. Morshedian, M. Barikani, Silane grafting and moisture crosslinking of polyethylene : The effect of molecular structure, Vinyl Addit. Technol. 15(3) (2009) 184.

W. Kamphunthong, K. Sirisinha, Structure development and viscoelastic properties in silane-crosslinked ethylene–octene copolymer, J. Appl. Polym. Sci.109(4) (2008) 2347.

T. Menzel et al., Degradation of low-density polyethylene to nanoplastic particles by accelerated weathering, Sci. Tot. Environ. 826 (2022) 154035.

M.M. El-Awady, Natural weathering, artificial photo-oxidation, and thermal aging of low density polyethylene: Grafting of acrylic acid onto aged polyethylene films, J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 87(14) (2003) 2365.

N. Meides et al., Reconstructing the environmental degradation of polystyrene by accelerated weathering, Environ. Sci. Technol. 55 (2021) 7930.

J.V. Gulmine, L. Akcelrud, FTIR characterization of aged XLPE, Polym. Test. 25 (2006) 932.

A. Shimada, M. Sugimoto, H. Kudoh, K. Tamura, T. Seguchi, Degradation distribution in insulation materials of cables by accelerated thermal and radiation ageing, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 20(6) (2013) 2107.

M. Sugimoto, A. Shimada, H. Kudoh, K. Tamura, T. Seguchi, Product analysis for polyethylene degradation by radiation and thermal ageing, Radiat. Phys. Chem. 82 (2013) 69.

C. Blivet, J.F. Larché, Y. Israëli , P.O. Bussière, Non-arrhenius behavior: influence of the crystallinity on lifetime predictions of polymer materials used in the cable and wire industries, Polym. Degrad. Stab.199 (2022) 109890.

L. Boukezzi, A. Boubakeur, M. Lallouani, Effect of artificial thermal aging on the crystallinity of XLPE insulation cables: X-ray study, IEEE, Annual Report of Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena (CEIDP), 2014, 65–68.

J. Li, H. Li, Q. Wang, X. Zhang, B. Ouyang, J. Zhao, Accelerated inhomogeneous degradation of XLPE insulation caused by copper-rich impurities at elevated temperature, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 23(3) 2016 1789.

S. Tagzirt, D. Bouguedad, A. Mekhaldi, I. Fofana, Multi-scale analysis of naturally weathered high voltage XLPE cable insulation, in two extreme environments, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul. 29(4) (2022) 1599.

A. Najmeddine, Z. Xu, G. Liu, Z.L. Croft, G. Liu, A.R. Esker, M. Shakiba, Physics and chemistry-based constitutive modeling of photo-oxidative aging in semi-crystalline polymers, Int. J. Soli. Struct. 239-240 (2022) 111427.

Y. Zhang , Z. Hou, K. Wu , S. Wang , J. Li, S. Li, Influence of oxygen diffusion on thermal ageing of cross-linked polyethylene cable insulation, Mater. 13 (2020) 2056.

M. Gardette et al., Photo- and thermal-oxidation of polyethylene: Comparison of mechanisms and influence of unsaturation content, Polym. Degrad. Stab. 98(11) (2013) 2383.

M.E. Kassem, A.A. Higazy, Optical properties of y-irradiated low-density polyethylene, Mater. Lett. 16(4) (1993) 236.

S. Ibrahim, R. Ahmad, M.R. Johan, Conductivity and optical studies of plasticized solid polymer electrolytes doped with carbon nanotube, J. Lumin. 132(1) (2012)147.

S. B. Aziz et al., Optical properties of pure and doped PVA:PEO based solid polymer blend electrolytes: two methods for band gap study, J. Mater. Sci. Mater. Electron. 28(10) (2017) 7473.

Siddhartha, S. Aarya, K. Dev, S.K. Raghuvanshi, J.B.M. Krishna, M.A. Wahab, Effect of gamma radiation on the structural and optical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer, Radiat. Phys. Chem. 81(4) (2012) 458.

S.B. Aziz, Modifying poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) from insulator to small band gap polymer: A novel approach for organic solar cells and optoelectronic devices, J. Electron. Mater. 45 (2016) 736.

Q.M. Jebur, A. Hashim, M.A. Habeeb, Structural, electrical and optical properties for (polyvinyl alcohol–polyethylene oxide–magnesium oxide) nanocomposites for optoelectronics applications, Trans. Electr. Electron. Mater. 20(4) (2019) 334.

H.G.H. Kumar, R.D. Mathad, S. Ganesh, K.S.S. Sarma, C.R. Haramaghatti, Electron-beam-induced modifications in high-density polyethylene, Brazilian J. Phys. 41(1) 2011 7.

F. Yakuphanoglu, M. Sekerci, O.F. Ozturk, The determination of the optical constants of Cu(II) compound having 1-chloro-2,3-o-cyclohexylidinepropane thin film, Optics Communications 239 (2004) 275.

Downloads

Published

2024-03-01

How to Cite

[1]
S. Afeissa, L. BOUKEZZI, and L. Bessissa, “Cross-linking tendency and photo-oxidation degradation in Silane-grafted LDPE insulation under accelerated cyclic weathering aging”, Rev. Mex. Fís., vol. 70, no. 2 Mar-Apr, pp. 021003 1–, Mar. 2024.