ANOMALOUS TRANSIENT CURRENTS IN HIGH-DENSITY POLYETHYLENE AROUND 50-70-DEGREES-C

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 degree C was explained on the basis of transient SCLC theory, and the carrier mobility was estimated to be 0. 5 minus 2. 0 multiplied by 10** minus **1**0 cm**2/V multiplied by (times) sec at 70 degree C. Anomalous discharging currents flowing in the same direction as the charging current were observed at 50 and 70 degree C, and they were concluded to be caused by the injected homo space charge and the partial blocking of a metal-polymer contact.