Ageing Effects on the Properties of Radiation Cross-Linked PVC Cable

Abstract

In this study, the impact of ageing on radiation cross-linked PVC cables, using electron beam irradiation within 0-100kGy radiation doses was investigated. Accelerated thermal ageing was performed in a vacuum oven to simulate real-time ageing and shelf life. Tensile test was then conducted using Universal Instron machine to evaluate the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) while electrical conductivity tests using impedance analyser was carried out to assess the insulation properties of the radiation crosslinked PVC. Results indicated that higher radiation doses generally increased UTS values, enhancing the mechanical performance of the cables. However, UTS values varied across different ageing durations, indicating an inconsistent ageing effect on mechanical properties. From this experiment, the data shows that the higher radiation doses increased the gel content and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) as well as the higher percentage of elongation. Lower conductivity values were observed for unaged specimens as compared to aged specimens, indicating better insulation properties. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing cable design and selection, facilitating performance improvements and early detection of failures in PVC cables across industries. The study contributes to predicting PVC cable lifespan and enhancing reliability in critical applications.