Publication: Characteristics of cross-linked polyethylene and polyethylene blends nanocomposites for high voltage electrical insulation
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Date
2024-11-01
Authors
Muhammad Safwan, Hamzah
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Abstract
In this study, nanofillers composed of aluminium oxide (Al2O3), zinc dioxide (ZnO) and organoclay were separately embedded in cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) / styrene/ethylene-butylene/styrene copolymer grafted with Maleic Anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) polymer blend. Using an internal mixer and compression molding, several filler loadings (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt. %) of XLPE nanocomposites were prepared. Findings show that the addition of nanofillers enhances the tensile strength, flammability, hydrophobicity and flowability of the XLPE nanocomposites. Organoclay filled XLPE nanocomposite is selected as comparison with LLDPE/SEBS-g-MA nanocomposites. The effect of different polymer matrix and filler loadings (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt. %) on tensile properties, flammability, hydrophobicity and flowability properties were determined in the second part of the study. LLDPE/SEBS-g-MA nanocomposites improve the tensile properties up to 20%, flame resistance up to 8% and hydrophobicity up to 40% compared to organoclay filled XLPE nanocomposites. In the third part, studies on dielectric properties and dielectric breakdown strength properties using different filler loading on XPLE nanocomposites and LLDPE/SEBS-g-MA nanocomposites were conducted. It is found that organoclay filled nanocomposites system exhibits the highest improvement of dielectric breakdown up to 9% compared to its respective unfilled system. In the fourth part, studies on electrical treeing on Al2O3 and organoclay filled XLPE nanocomposites found that 0.5 wt. % filled organoclay nanocomposite systems exhibits the highest improvement of 7% in tree inception voltage (TIV). In conclusion, 0.5 wt. % organoclay filled LLDPE/SEBS-g-MA nanocomposites is the best formulation to be used as high voltage electrical insulator.