Synergistic improved electrical resistivity-temperature characteristics and DC breakdown strength in insulating XLPE composites by incorporating positive temperature coefficient particles.

Weakening the electrical resistivity-temperature dependence of cross-linked polyethene (XLPE) is an effective way to enhance the electric field uniformity of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cables. Therefore, an attempt is made to suppress the negative temperature coefficient (NTC) of electrical resistivity by incorporating BaTiO 3 -based ceramic fillers with positive temperature coefficient (PTC) electrical resistivity into XLPE. Morphology characterization indicated that PTC particles were well dispersed in the XLPE matrix. The measurements of electrical resistivity and DC breakdown strength are carried out from 30 °C to 90 °C. The electrical resistivity and DC breakdown strength of the sample at high temperatures were significantly improved with the introduction of PTC particles, which is attributed to the deep traps near the Curie temperature region. The high doping content has a better suppression of the NTC effect. The activation energy (0.63 eV) and NTC strength (1.74) of the sample with the addition of 10 wt% of PTC are considerably reduced compared with XLPE. The content of PTC particles was positively correlated to the enhancement of electrical resistivity and DC breakdown strength. The optimum content for DC breakdown strength is about 5 wt%. The low electrical resistivity-temperature dependence of insulation performance shows a potential to obtain temperature-stable HVDC cable insulation. • Negative temperature coefficient electrical resistivity of XLPE composite was mitigated by incorporating PTC particles. • The electrical resistivity of XLPE composite is 9 times of XLPE at 90 °C. • XLPE composites has a maintained DC breakdown strength at 30 °C and enhanced by 56.8% at 90 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]