Abstract: A semiconducting composition comprising(A) a random copolymer of propylene and an alpha-olefin having at least 4 carbon atoms as main constituents, which contains 50 to 87 mole % of the propylene units,(B) fine particles of carbon black, and as an optional component,(C) at least one random copolymer selected from the group consisting of a random copolymer of ethylene and a vinyl ester having 4 or 5 carbon atoms as main constituents, which contains at least about 5.4 mole % of the vinyl ester units, and a random copolymer of ethylene and an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester having 4 to 8 carbon atoms as main constituents, which contains at least 3 mole % of the unsaturated carboxylic acid ester units.The semiconducting composition or its crosslinked product is useful as an outside semiconducting layer in a power cable composed at least of a central conductor, a crosslinked polyethylene insulating layer surrounding the conductor and an outside semiconducting layer surrounding the insulating layer.

Abstract: A semiconducting composition comprising(A) a random copolymer of propylene and an alpha-olefin having at least 4 carbon atoms as main constituents, which contains 50 to 87 mole % of the propylene units,(B) fine particles of carbon black, and as an optional component,(C) at least one random copolymer selected from the group consisting of a random copolymer of ethylene and a vinyl ester having 4 to 5 carbon atoms as main constituents, which contains at least about 5.4 mole % of the vinyl ester units, and a random copolymer of ethylene and an unsaturated carboxylic acid ester having 4 to 8 carbon atoms as main constituents, which contains at least 3 mole % of the unsaturated carboxylic acid ester units.The semiconducting composition or its crosslinked product is useful as an outside semiconducting layer in a power cable composed at least of a central conductor, a crosslinked polyethylene insulating layer surrounding the conductor and an outside semiconducting layer surrounding the insulating layer.