Binary Silicone Elastomeric Systems with Stepwise Crosslinking as a Tool for Tuning Electromechanical Behavior

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) represent an interesting approach for tuning the properties of silicone elastomers due to the possible synergism that may occur between the networks. A new approach is presented, which consists of mixing two silicone-based networks with different crosslinking pathways; the first network being cured by condensation route and the second network by UV curing. The networks were mixed in different ratios and the resulted samples yield good mechanical properties (improved elongations, up to 720%, and Young’s modulus, 1 MPa), thermal properties (one glass transition temperature, ~−123 °C), good dielectric strength (~50 V/μm), and toughness (63 kJ/m3).

Moisture effects on AC dielectric strength and partial discharge inception voltage in natural monoesters

It is essential to analyse the dielectric performance in a humid environment of insulating liquids of plant origin, considered as alternatives to mineral oil (MO) which is not environmentally friendly. This paper focuses on the effects of different moisture levels on the dielectric strength and partial discharge initiation voltage of two natural monoesters, based on castor oil (CO) and palm kernel oil (PKO), and MO. The different samples were moistened with a glycerol solution, then sealed and stored for 12 days to allow further diffusion of moisture into the samples. Dielectric strength was statistically evaluated from IEC 60156. Partial discharge inception voltage (PDIV) experiment was performed in conformity with a modified IEC 61294 purpose at ambient temperature. Based on the experimental observations, the moisture has different behavior on dielectric strength and PDIV of insulating oils. Monoesters have a better withstand to water contamination than MOs in power transformers.

High-Frequency Surface Insulation Strength with Nanoarchitectonics of Disiloxane Modified Polyimide Films

High-frequency power transformers are conducive to the reliable grid connection of distributed energy sources. Polyimide is often used for the coating insulation of high-frequency power transformers. However, creeping discharge will cause insulation failure, therefore, it is necessary to use disiloxane for the purpose of modifying the molecular structure of polyimide. This paper not only introduces 1,3-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane (GAPD) with a molar content of 1%, 2%, and 5% to polyimide, but also tests both the physical and chemical properties of the modified film and the high frequency creeping dielectric strength. The results show that after adding GAPD, the overall functional groups of the material do not change, at the same time the transfer complexation of intermolecular charge and the absorption of ultraviolet light increase. There is no phase separation of the material and the structure is more regular and ordered, moreover the crystallinity increases. The overall dielectric constant and the dielectric loss tangent value show different trends, which means that the former value increases, while the latter value decreases. In addition, the resistivity of the surface and the volume increase, which is the same as the glass transition temperature. The mechanical properties are excellent, and the strength of bulk breakdown is mounting. The insulation strength of the high frequency creeping surface has been improved, which will increase with larger contents of GAPD. Among them, the relative change of the creeping flashover voltage is not obvious, and the creeping discharge life of G5 is 4.77 times that of G0. Further analysis shows that the silicon-oxygen chain links of the modified film forms a uniformly dispersed Si-O-Si network in the matrix through chemical bonds and charge transfer complexation. Once the outer matrix is destroyed, it will produce dispersed flocculent inorganic particles which have the role of protecting the inner material and improving the performance of the material. Combined with the ultraviolet light energy absorption, the increase of deep traps, the reduction of dielectric loss, and the improvement of thermodynamic performance, can better improve the high-frequency creeping insulation strength of polyimide film and its potential application value.

Experimental Study on Optimization of Filler Concentration of Silicon Rubber Compound Used in High Voltage Insulators

In any power transmission system, insulators are essential for a reliable electrical power supply. The Efficiency of insulators will be decided by their electrical and mechanical properties. Recently in many of the power transmission systems, the conventional porcelain insulators are being replaced by polymeric insulators due to various advantages in their properties. Polymeric insulators have been increasingly popular in recent years as a result of their superior performance in contaminated environments due to their hydrophobic nature. However, research is still being carried out on Polymeric material with regards to ageing condition and feasibility for large scale utilization. Ageing of insulation is due to Environmental, Tracking and Erosion conditions. Ageing leads to immature failures and uncertainty in the performance of the insulators. The constituent materials and their properties have a significant impact on the performance of polymeric insulators. There is a strong need to look into newer filler materials which can be added to the existing polymeric base materials to constitute a composite. Keeping this in mind, in the proposed research uses Silicone rubber as base polymeric material and along with that additives are added to arrive at three different composites. A new filler material will be added to the base material forming a new composite. All these HTV Silicone rubber based composites are then tested the recovery of hydrophobicity, dielectric strength, hardness, specific gravity, tensile strength , ultimate elongation ,tear strength properties based on ASTM standards. Further, Inclined plane Tracking and Erosion studies are also conducted on the polymeric test samples for 6 hours to evaluate the SiR housing material suitability for outdoor insulator applications by subjecting them to AC high voltages under laboratory conditions as per IEC 60587 standards. Keywords: Recovery of hydrophobicity, dielectric strength, hardness, specific gravity, tensile strength, ultimate elongation, tear strength, inclined plane tracking and erosion, ageing, filler material.

In Search of a “Stable Green Nanofluid” for Applications in High Voltage Equipment

Nanofluids are considered as the next generation of dielectric fluids due to their higher thermal conductivity and dielectric properties. In this investigation, locally produced ester oils, such as rice bran oil (RBO) and jatropha oil (JO), were compared with mineral oil (MO). Initially, hydrophilic SiO2 nano particles were used to prepare nanofluids using RBO and MO. However, results showed that with loading of nanoparticles (NPs) up to 0.075 g/L, the dielectric strength (DS) of MO based NFs increased but decreased drastically with further increase in loading as these suffered agglomeration and sedimentation in less than 72 h. To overcome this drawback, NPs were functionalized under plasma discharge. These efforts also did not yield many favorable results. Instead, hydrophobic fumed silica NPs grafted with hexamethyldi-siloxane (HMDS) were utilized for further study. Plasma treated NFs exhibited improved DS, as well as excellent dispersibility and stability.

Characterization of slide ring materials for dielectric elastomer actuators

This paper investigates the characteristics of sliding ring materials (SRMs), which are promising elastomeric materials for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs). Two different types of SRMs with Young's modulus of 0.8 MPa and 3.3 MPa, respectively, are prepared, and their material and mechanical properties and electro-mechanical performances at electric fields of up to 30 V/um are characterized. For comparison, the same tests are also performed on several commercially available elastomers: Elastosil 2030, Ecoflex 00-30, CF19-2186, and VHB 4905. The results reveal that SRMs demonstrate negligible Mullins effect and hysteresis, while their dielectric strength (62.4‒112.4 V/µm) and viscoelasticity (tan⁡δ 0.07‒0.24 at 10 Hz) are comparable or even superior to those of other elastomers. In addition, elongation at break is found to be 163.8‒172.1%. SRMs exhibit excellent electro-mechanical performance; for instance, one of the two types has an actuation force 293.2 mN at 24.9 V/µm and a strain of 5.2% at 22.3 V/µm. These values are the largest or larger than most of the tested elastomers. The high performance of SRMs results from their dielectric constant, which ranges from 10.3‒13.4, leading to an electro-mechanical sensitivity of up to 15.3 MPa-1. These results illustrate SRMs as attractive material options for DEAs.

Probing the Use of Silane-Grafted Fumed Silica Nanoparticles to Produce Stable Transformer Oil-Based Nanofluids

In this experimental investigation, hydrophobic silane-grafted fumed nano-silica was employed in transformer oil to formulate nanofluids (NFs). A cold-air atmosphere-pressure plasma reactor working on the principle of dielectric barrier discharge was designed and utilized to functionalize the surface of these nanoparticles. A field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) module and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to scan surface features of new and plasma-treated nanoparticles. The study revealed considerable changes in the surface chemistry of nanoparticles, which led to good dispersibility and stability of nanofluids. The measurements of AC breakdown voltages (AC-BDV) of nanofluids so prepared were conducted according to IEC-Std 60156, and a significant improvement in the dielectric strength was achieved. A statistical analysis of these results was performed using Weibull probabilistic law. At a 5% probability of failure, modified nanofluid remarkably exhibited a 60% increase in breakdown voltage. The dielectric properties such as variation of εr and tan δ in temperature of up to 70 °C were measured and compared with untreated fluid. Results exhibit an increase in tan δ and a slight decrease in permittivity of nanofluids. The analysis also revealed that while unpolar silane coating of NPs increased the breakdown strength, the polar-amino-silane-coated NPs in oil resulted in a drastic reduction. Details of this antagonistic trend are elaborated in this paper.

Thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties of difunctional and trifunctional epoxy blends with nanoporous materials

In the present study, the aim is to synthesize the particulate nanocomposites with difunctional and trifunctional epoxy blend as matrix and synthesized nanoporous materials as fillers. Organic/inorganic hybrid networks were prepared by the novel solvent free method. Viscoelastic, thermal, and electrical properties of di- and trifunctional epoxy and the effect of different nanoparticles in the particulate nanocomposites have been studied by dynamic mechanical analyzer, thermogravimetry (TGA), and dielectric strength. Epoxy mixed with different compositions of TGPAP and particulate nanocomposites by the addition of different types of nanomaterials shows higher storage modulus than the pure epoxy. The addition of TGPAP and nanofillers decreases the thermal stability of epoxy matrix. The evolved gas analysis (TG-FTIR) was also done in order to study the products formed during degradation. An increase in dielectric strength and impact strength (4%) was also observed in the particulate nanocomposites.

Electron swarm parameters and dielectric strength of C5F10O and its mixtures with CO2 and dry air

Perfluoroketone C5F10O is considered as a potential SF6 alternative. The GWP (Global warming potential) of C5F10O is extremely low and even close to that of air. We investigated the electrical insulation properties of the C5F10O by pulsed Townsend (PT) experiment. The rate coefficients of ionization, attachment, and effective ionization, as well as the electron drift velocity and the longitudinal electron diffusion coefficient in pure C5F10O were obtained. We conclude that the density-reduced critical electric field of pure C5F10O is (768±5)Td and ion kinetics are not exist or negligible in C5F10O. Furthermore, the swarm parameters of C5F10O /CO2 and C5F10O /Air mixtures with C5F10O percentage up to 30% were measured in a wide E/N-range. C5F10O has good synergism with both CO2 and dry air and air behaves better. The synergistic effect coefficients were also calculated. To have the same (E/N)crit as pure SF6, the mixing ratio of C5F10O should be 30% in the mixture with CO2 and 26% in the mixture with dry air. The obtained electron swarm parameters in this paper provide a supplement for the fundamental data set of these novel gases, and also lay the foundation for fluid model simulations of gas discharge.