Abstract:
With the advancements in the field of nanotechnology, polymer composite-based
insulators are rapidly substituting the old ceramics insulators. Epoxy resin is considered as the mechanically and chemically stable, as well as easily affordable polymer, worldwide. The optimal addition of silica filler in epoxy makes a mechanically and thermally stable composite. Thermal and mechanical compression stresses influence the dielectric and surface characteristics, notably. For the recommendation to the electrical power industry for the installation of outdoor insulators, it's crucial to thoroughly analyze the mechanical and severe environmental impacts on polymer composites insulators. In this research work, epoxy composites with nano-silica and micro-silica fillers were fabricated. There is a limited study available on mechanical compression stress on epoxy composite. Therefore, for an extensive study of compression influence on dielectric properties, a series of five successive pressure steps were conducted. The dielectric characteristics (Dielectric Constant and Dissipation Factor) of each sample were explored. While the elevated temperature incorporated with the moisture causes damaging effects on the chemical and physical structures of outdoor polymer insulation. Therefore, epoxy composites were aged, as per the weather dynamics of Pakistan. Thermal under humidity stress was performed for 60 hours at 70 C and 80% RH humidity. The surface characteristics such as hydrophobicity and surface roughness as well as chemical structure changes were inspected. A comparative evaluation was carried out between neat, nanocomposite, and microcomposite. The analysis techniques employed in this research: LCR metery for the dielectric properties, for surface characteristics, contact angle measurement, optical microscopy, and for the chemical changes, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy.
