Evaluation of the electric field deterioration of ethylenic copolymers using the chemiluminescence method
Yamada Rie (1)*, Sato Tetsu (2), Hosoda Satoru (3)
(1) Tohoku Electronic Industrial Co Ltd - Miyagi - Japan, (2) Tohoku Electronic Industrial Co Ltd - Miyagi - Japan, (3) Kyoto Institute of Technology - Kyoto - Japan
Ultra-sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) analysis is an invaluable tool for detecting the very early stages of polymer oxidation.
The oxidation produces such as peroxides that will be integrated in a sample during the oxidation reaction. And their decomposition reaction eliminates a very weak light (chemiluminescence).
Therefore, using a high sensitive CL detector, it enables us to detect the early stage of oxidation of polymers.
In this research, we tried to detect the oxidation phenomena of the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) sheet in the electric field. DC around 1KV was charged at room temperature for a few days and measured CL in nitrogen and oxygen.
It is the first time detection of EVA oxidation under such a low electric voltage.
Using a sensitive CL method, the degradation mechanism by the electric field would be cleared and the R&D period needed to develop a high performance dielectric material will be shortened.
And also, by using a highly sensitive CCD camera, oxidation area can be detected from the CL images.