A review of the factors that influence aging and degradation in crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) polyolefin

Abstract

In today's world, the use of products made of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) is critical. The total share of polyethylene accounts for more than 40% of the entire commercial plastics market. Polyethylene is the most widely used because of its low cost and ease of processing. However, at high temperatures, simple polyethylene loses its physical properties, limiting its application. The crosslinking of polyethylene is done to preserve the desired properties of the material while also acquiring new qualities. XLPE is the densest of polyethylene materials and has superior technical and operating properties due to its polymer base and molecular structure. XLPE has several distinct properties, including thermal resistance, durability, chemical resistance, and resistance to stress fracture, low dielectric losses, high resistance to microorganisms, and many others, which have allowed its products to be used in the majority of modern human activities. This study aims to review the performance of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation and factors influencing changes in its properties during the service.