Abstract
Epoxy resins have demonstrated remarkable properties with potential for usage as high voltage insulators. However, a loss of these properties has been observed in high temperature and humid environments. In order to enhance the hydrothermal stability of epoxy resins, micro (15% SiO2) and nano (5% SiO2) silica-based composites of epoxy were fabricated and subjected to standard long term and short term accelerated hydrothermal conditions. To analyze the effect of these stresses, the samples were analyzed periodically through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for structure analysis; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface analysis of long-term aged samples; and optical microscopy for the surface topography of short-term aged samples. The Swedish Transmission Research Institute (STRI) classification and contact angle measurement techniques were used for hydrophobicity analysis of long-term and short-term aged samples, respectively. After aging in both conditions, the nanocomposite showed better results as compared to the other samples. After 1000 h of aging, it showed HC-5 class of hydrophobicity, whereas EMC and NE degraded to the HC-6. In case of short-term aging, the contact angle decreased to the 64.15° and 75.05° from 104.15° and 114.9° for ENC and EMC, respectively. Also, in terms of structural degradation, ENC showed the highest structural stability after 1000 h of aging with the highest stable peak of aromatic ether at 1300–1500 cm−1. Microscopic observation through scanning electron and optical techniques also revealed superior performance of the nanocomposites.
Highlights
Epoxy based insulators have been showing noteworthy performance in electrical power systems
The contact angle of neat epoxy before aging was 106.9◦, and it reduced to 64.15◦ and 51◦ after 30 and 60 h of aging, respectively
It could be seen that there was not much difference initially in the contact angles of all of the samples, which could be furthered verified from the Swedish Transmission Research Institute (STRI) hydrophobicity classes where nnesat sample (NE) and EMC showed HC-2 and epoxy 5% nano silica composite (ENC) showed HC-1 Polymers 2022, 14, x FOR PEER REVIEcWlass of hydrophobicity
Summary
Epoxy based insulators have been showing noteworthy performance in electrical power systems. Epoxy resins possess tremendous properties which can be used as insulators (for example, better hydrophobicity, better mechanical strength, high dielectric strength, and easy processing for usage in power systems) [10–13]. Shao et al deposited the silica on the surface of epoxy to increase the flashover voltage [21,22]. Zhai and their team studied 2, 6, and 10 wt.% alumina-based epoxy composites and reported their UV degradation. They found that 6 wt.% composites expressed the best performance in comparison to neat samples [23]. Erosion and tracking along-with flashover performance was reported for silica-based epoxy composites for 25 kV outdoor applications. As with other polymeric insulation, detailed performance analyses for high temperature/water environments are of utmost importance [27–29]
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