Zinc oxide, organoclay and silica in crosslinked polyethylene composite for cable insulation
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Date
2018-09-01
Authors
Siti Nur Hajar Abdul Salim
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Abstract
This study investigates the performance of nanofillers on morphology, electrical, mechanical and physical properties of crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) matrix. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) and silicone dioxide (SiO2) were used as untreated nanofiller, while treated nanofiller were 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane treated ZnO (KH550-ZnO), 3-4-aminopropyltriethoxysilane treated SiO2 (KH550-SiO2) and organoclay (OMMT). The nanofillers were mixed with XLPE using internal mixer, and then, press-moulded at 160 °C. Different weight percentages (1, 2, 3 and 4 wt. %) were compounded in untreated nanofillers, and the weight percentages for treated were 1 and 2 wt. %. Different ratios (75/25, 50/50 and 25/75) in a total of 2 wt. % filler loading were compounded in hybrid nanocomposites. The results showed that the addition of untreated nanofillers improved breakdown strength, burning rate and tensile properties. The best performance of nanocomposite was found at 1 wt. % SiO2/XLPE based on the most prominence properties. The addition of surface modified nanofiller enhanced the interface interaction between the filler and the matrix via chemical bonding. The surface modified nanofiller also improved the breakdown strength, burning rate and tensile properties. In this study, 1 wt. % OMMT/XLPE showed better performance based on the most prominence properties compared to other treated nanofiller. In hybrid nanocomposites, the best filler ratio was 25/75 ZnO/OMMT. In comparison with unfilled XLPE, significant improvement is observed in dielectric constant (4 %), breakdown strength (9 %), burning rate (13%), tensile strength (57 %), elongation at break (54 %) and Young’s modulus (36 %). Therefore, it is suitable for cable insulation.