Correlation between water uptake and loss of the insulating properties of PE/ATH composites used in cables applications

PE/ATH composites are known to lose insulating properties in use condition. The known reason for that behaviour seems to be the water uptake due to two major reasons: hydrophilic behaviour of ATH and degradation of the polymer matrix with the accumulation of oxidation products that lead to create an hydrophilic matrix. This study aims to identify the synergetic or antagonistic effects of the thermo-oxidation on the water absorption and mostly/above all to correlate the modification of the chemical structure with the loss of the functional properties.