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Degradation Performance Investigation of Hydrothermally Stressed Epoxy Micro and Nanocomposites for High Voltage Insulation.

Authors :
Faiza
Khattak, Abraiz
Alahamdi, Ahmad Aziz
Iqbal, Muhammad Bilal
Source :
Polymers (20734360). Mar2022, Vol. 14 Issue 6, p1094. 20p.
Publication Year :
2022

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20734360
Volume :
14
Issue :
6
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Polymers (20734360)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
156096013
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14061094