The charge properties, under electron irradiation, of three types of glasses are studied by employing scanning electron microscope (SEM) associated with the technique called the electrostatic influence method. The experimental conditions are closed to those of typical field emission display (FED) operation. To determine the amount of trapped charges during and after electron irradiation, a special arrangement adapted to the SEM was used. This arrangement allows displacement and leakage currents to be simultaneously measured. The secondary electron emission yield during electron irradiation is also deduced. The trapping ability of each glass is analyzed taking into account the regulation mechanisms involved under electron irradiation. Finally useful indications permitting an adequate selection of glasses that may be used as FED spacers are deduced.

The effect of isothermal conditions on the trapping/detrapping process of charges in e-beam irradiated thermally aged XLPE insulation in scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has been investigated. Different isothermal conditions ranging from room temperature to 120 °C are applied on both unaged and aged XLPE samples (2 mm thick) by a suitable arrangement associated with SEM. For each applied test temperature, leakage, and influence currents have been measured simultaneously during and after e-beam irradiation. Experimental results show a big difference between the fresh and aged material regarding trapping and detrapping behavior. It has been pointed out that in the unaged material deep traps govern the process, whereas the shallow traps take part in the aged one. Almost all obtained results reveal that the trapped charge decreases and then increases as the temperature increases for the unaged sample. A deflection temperature corresponding to a minimum is observed at 50 °C. However, for the aged material, the maximum trapped charge decreases continuously with increasing temperature, and the material seems to trap fewer charges under e-beam irradiation at high temperature. Furthermore, thermal aging leads to the occurrence of detrapping process at high temperatures even under e-beam irradiation, which explains the decrease with time evolution of trapped charge during this period. The recorded leakage current increases with increasing temperature for both cases with pronounced values for aged material. The effect of temperature and thermal aging on electrostatic influence factor (K) and total secondary electron emission yield (σ) were also studied.

In this study, the effect of UV-radiation on the structural properties of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) power cable insulating material was investigated as a function of aging time. XLPE specimens were exposed to UV-radiation for 200 hours using low-pressure vapor fluorescent lamps. Electrical resistivity values, influence and leakage currents, and charging and discharging currents of specimens were measured and quantified. In addition, structural changes in polyethylene chains were also evaluated with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses and high-temperature oxidation stability was correlated with the level of structural deterioration as a result of UV-aging through determination of oxidation induction time and oxidation onset temperature in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Experimental results showed that the electrical properties of XLPE materials were significantly affected by UV radiation and resulting structural changes can be successfully assessed with electrical measurements as a rapid, easy, and reliable tool. It was also confirmed that FTIR and DSC analyses can be used to evaluate oxidative aging level of XLPE and olefinic polymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyolefin-based elastomers. This study also suggests an analytical methodology to constitute the relationship between the thermal and physical properties of polyolefins and their service life.

This study investigated the effect of nanofiller on the structural properties of thermally aged polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/Aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) nanocomposites prepared with different amounts of nanoparticles (2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 wt%) using various techniques. Experimental studies were designed to monitor structural changes in PVC/Al₂O₃ nanocomposites by means of dielectric characterization, charging and discharging currents measurements, SEM and FTIR analyses, and visual observations as a function of nanofiller amount and aging time. The results obtained demonstrated that the dielectric permittivity of PVC was increased for unaged samples with the addition of 2.5% and 7.5% Al₂O₃ nanoparticles. An increase in dielectric losses is also observed at the same level of filler content, attributable to interfacial polarization driven by improved charge transport and dipole relaxation. A decrease in charging and discharging currents with higher Al₂O₃ content is attributed to an increase in matrix rigidity, which restricts charge carrier mobility. The charging and discharging currents progressively increased during thermal aging, as polar aging products were formed during this process, which could improve charge mobility and conductivity. FTIR and SEM analyses indicated that with thermal aging, polar groups formation was more likely due to structural decomposition of the matrix and mild dehydrochlorination. The changes in color were indicative of surface degradation. These results provide new insight into the electrical and aging behaviors in PVC/Al₂O₃ nanocomposites.

With a laboratory built X-ray microscope, analysis of a thermal diffusion process in a KBr solution has been performed. A solution of a salt submitted to a constant temperature gradient gives rise to a stationary concentration gradient of the species after a few hours: this is the so called Soret effect. From the digital image of the liquid, acquired in the steady state of the process, it is easy to obtain the concentration map of the species in the solution. The average concentration profile then deduced permits to reach the value of the Soret coefficient and the heat of transport of the binary compound. X-ray radiography is an alternative powerful technique to analyse this kind of complicated phenomenon where composition matter fluxes are driven by both temperature and composition gradient.