Abstract
Environmentally friendly Crosslinked Polyethylene (XLPE) cables represent a new development trend. XLPE exhibits good electrical properties and recyclability. However, XLPE possesses certain limitations, such as high stiffness, high storage modulus, and poor low-temperature toughness, which cause challenges in cable manufacturing, processing, transportation, and installation. To ensure that XLPE has excellent electrical and mechanical properties, nanoparticles can be added to the XLPE matrix. In this study, XLPE was used as the matrix for a new high-voltage cable insulation material, and Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were introduced via melt blending to improve the electrical properties of the composites. Using the PLM test, the effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the crystalline morphology and XLPE process was observed. The mechanical properties of XLPE nanocomposites were evaluated via tensile testing to analyze the influence of nano-ZnO particles on these properties. Using the broadband dielectric spectra test, the electrical properties of XLPE and its nanocomposites were evaluated, and the effect of nano-ZnO particles on the composites electrical properties was explored.