The thermodynamic compensation effect plot derived from Eyring rate process theory was applied to the thermal and UV ageing of LDPE/Carbon Black composites containing commercial carbon black (CB) and carbon black surface oxidized with nitric acid. Correlations were tested among compensation effect, electrical threshold field and volumetric electrical conductivity. Compensation plots from OIT measurements correlate with thermal and UV ageing effect on activation ΔS and ΔH values, giving a good linear correlation for all samples studied. The relative changes in dc conductivity and electrical threshold field are consistent with the OIT compensation plot, demonstrating that this analysis can be used to monitor LDPE/CB composite degradation under thermal or UV ageing. It can also be used to evaluate, quite accurately, the effect of oxidizing the surface of the CB on the electrical properties (dc conductivity and electrical threshold field) of the LDPE/CB composites.
LDPE; Carbon black; compensation plots; OIT; volumetric conductivity; electrical threshold field
