Morphology and the electro-mechanical breakdown model in polyethylene

The composition and crystallisation conditions of binary HDPE/LDPE polyethylene blends have been used as tools for morphological control. In particular, crystallinity has become an independent variable free from the effects of segregated low molecular weight material. Blends with an extensive, space-filling spherulitic morphology are shown to have high breakdown strengths, this is discussed with reference to the electro-mechanical breakdown model. Self-seeding techniques and the addition of dibenzylidene sorbitol as a nucleating agent have been used to induce increased nucleation densities and orientation. No deleterious effects on breakdown strength are observed.