Anomalous Transient Currents in High-Density Polyethylene around 50–70°C

Abstract

Transient currents in high-density polyethylene have been investigated at various temperatures and applied fields. A distinct difference between the transient charging and discharging currents suggests that they are attributable to space charge in the sample. The charging current peak around 70°C was explained on the basis of transient SCLC theory, and the carrier mobility was estimated to be 0.5–2.0×10-10 cm2/V·sec at 70°C. Anomalous discharging currents flowing in the same direction as the charging current were observed at 50 and 70°C, and they were concluded to be caused by the injected home space charge and the partial blocking of a metalpolymer contact.