Date of Award

1998

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.Sc.

Department

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Keywords

Engineering, Electronics and Electrical.

Supervisor

Harkam, R.

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

Surface properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) were studied in a number of ways. Firstly, the specimens of these materials were immersed in saline solutions of 0.005, 1, 10 and 100 mS/cm at 0 +/- 1, 23 +/- 3, 44 +/- 2, 73 +/- 2 and 98 +/- 2°C. Also, the specimens of these materials were subjected to the same temperatures in air. The contact angle of a 4∼5 mul sessile droplet of distilled water which is a measure of the surface hydrophobicity of the solid surface was measured as a function of time of immersion. The percentage increase in weight and increase in surface roughness of the specimens due to the adsorption of the saline solutions and partially due to deposit of salts, were measured. After the loss of hydrophobicity, the recovery of the contact angle in air at 50 +/- 14% humidity level and 23 +/- 3°C were also studied. The effects of (i) the volume of the droplet of water, (ii) the time to measure the contact angle after placing the droplet of water on the polymer surface, (iii) the applications of 12.5 kV/cm dc stress and (iv) RF discharges (∼250 kHz) at 23 +/- 3°C and 50 +/- 14% humidity level, for varying durations, on the contact angle were also studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (FTC) were carried out to detect the oxidation of the surface. The surface free energy per unit area of the virgin and aged specimens of HDPE was calculated. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis1998 .K475. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 39-02, page: 0563. Adviser: Reuben Harkam. Thesis (M.A.Sc.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1998.

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