Dielectric relaxation study of low-density polyethylene by thermally stimulated depolarization currents and thermal sampling

The dielectric relaxation zone of a low-density polyethylene has been studied by thermally stimulated depolarization currents (TSDC) and thermal sampling (TS). Three relaxations have been found in this zone, which have been labeled γI, γII, and γIII in decreasing order of temperature. Samples of different crystallinities were subjected to several thermal treatments in order to study the molecular origin of each relaxation. The γI relaxation intensity changes with the thermal treatment, while the intensity of the γI relaxation is only slightly modified. Using TS it has been proved that the γI relaxation fulfils the compensation law with a high level of significance. Nevertheless, the experimental data are not enough to verity the γI and γIII relaxation.