Behaviour of Four Non-Migratory Antioxidants in Solid Polyethylene Insulation,
Abstract
An earlier investigation into premature cracking of solid polyethylene insulation of telecommunication cables in above-ground joints identified the cause as early depletion of antioxidant. A contributing factor was found to be the loss of antioxidant by migration. Consequently, antioxidants were sought with minimal migration from polyethylene at service temperatures up to 60 degrees C. Tests conducted showed that four out of fourteen phenolic antioxidants investigated exhibited negligible migration, and were considered suitable for further examination. Large reaction losses, however, were found with all four antioxidants when used alone in the presence of copper, and this was not altered by the use of a secondary antioxidant. These losses were reduced to negligible proportions with only two of the antioxidants when used in combination with metal deactivators. As a result of this work, studies are in progress to determine the capability of these two stabilizing systems to protect solid medium-density polyethylene for more than 40 years under adverse thermal conditions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 17, 1983
- Accession Number
- ADP002541
Entities
People
- B. T. De Boer
- Daniel J. Adams
- H. J. Ruddell
- P. Latoszynski