As large power grids and new energy grids interconnect

and the offshore wind power drives the surging demands for high-voltage cables

improving the performance of core insulating materials becomes crucial for ensuring safe electricity transmission. Currently

cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) dominates high-voltage cable insulation

yet the self-sufficiency in high-end XLPE insulating materials remains a bottleneck for China's high-voltage cable technology. This paper systematically reviews the key technical challenges in XLPE insulation

including breakdown strength optimization

conductivity stability regulation

space charge suppression

cross-linking mechanism and by-products

yellowing mechanism and their impacts

long-time extrusion stability

and so on. This paper also summarizes the influences of base material structure

formulation composition

and production process on the comprehensive performance of current UHV cross-linked polyethylene insulating materials.

and proposes future breakthrough directions in polyethylene

compounding and multi-component systems

full-process production technologies

and key performance evaluation frameworks.