Electric-field-induced assists fabrication of micro-SiC/Epoxy coating with low additive amount to improve surface insulating performance of HVDC insulator.

The micro-SiC/Epoxy composite coating has huge potential for application in the insulator of high voltage direct current (HVDC) gas insulated switchgear (GIS) since it can effectively suppress charge accumulation at gas–solid interface and adaptively regulate resistive electric field distribution. However, achieving stable and fruitful properties often requires high filler concentrations, which can compromise processability and long-term stability. Thus, a new method is proposed for preparing SiC/Epoxy composite coatings based on in-situ electric-field-induced assist (EFIA). The alignment process of SiC induced by the in-situ electric field, the effects of in-situ field on the physical and chemical properties of cured composites were studied. Even at concentrations far below the percolation threshold, the alignment of SiC particles along the in-situ electric field direction can induce significant non-linear conductive properties along that specific direction in the composite. Furthermore, the EFIA-coating leads to a 59.43% reduction in surface charge accumulation, more than a 50% decrease in charge dissipation time, and a 17.3% increase in surface flashover voltage. The coating discussed in this paper will be helpful in insulation design of DC components. [Display omitted] • Develop an in-situ electric field-assisted method for preparing epoxy-matrix composite coatings. • Low concentration composites with aligned additives can exhibit significant non-linear conductive properties. • Epoxy-matrix SiC composite coatings prepared based on in-situ electric field assists can effectively regulate surface charge and enhance surface flashover voltage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]