An investigation on the water induced brittle fracture of nonceramic insulators

Abstract

Partial discharge (PD) modeling in voids contained in rods is performed in order to investigate the formation of reactive species for acid production. It is demonstrated that the PD inception voltage is well above the system voltages used presently. Glass reinforced plastic rods used as structural members in nonceramic insulators are evaluated with the goal of determining the mechanisms responsible for brittle fracture failure in the field. Brittle fracture failure is induced by subjecting the rods to different chemicals in the presence of mechanical stresses. The failed rods are examined by scanning electron microscopy.