Alternative Concepts for Extruded Power Cable Insulation: from Thermosets to Thermoplastics
Journal article, 2024

The most common type of insulation of extruded high-voltage power cables is composed of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), which must be crosslinked to adjust its thermomechanical properties. A major drawback is the need for hazardous curing agents and the release of harmful curing byproducts during cable production, while the thermoset nature complicates reprocessing of the insulation material. This perspective explores recent progress in the development of alternative concepts that allow to avoid byproducts through either click chemistry type curing of polyethylene-based copolymers or the use of polyolefin blends or copolymers, which entirely removes the need for crosslinking. Moreover, polypropylene-based thermoplastic formulations enable the design of insulation materials that can withstand higher cable operating temperatures and facilitate reprocessing by remelting once the cable reaches the end of its lifetime. Finally, polyethylene-based covalent and non-covalent adaptable networks are explored, which may allow to combine the advantages of thermoset and thermoplastic insulation materials in terms of thermomechanical properties and reprocessability.

covalent and non-covalent adaptable networks

high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power cable

crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE)

polypropylene-based thermoplastic insulation

click chemistry type curing

Author

Amir Masoud Pourrahimi

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

Massimiliano Mauri

Nexans Norway AS

Silvia D'Auria

University of Parma

Roberta Pinalli

University of Parma

Christian Müller

Chalmers, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Applied Chemistry

Advanced Materials

09359648 (ISSN) 15214095 (eISSN)

Vol. In Press

Subject Categories

Polymer Chemistry

Polymer Technologies

Materials Chemistry

Other Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Information Engineering

DOI

10.1002/adma.202313508

More information

Latest update

4/26/2024