Properties of mica and kaolin filled crosslinked polyethylene composites for insulation material
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Date
2016-06
Authors
Tan Zhi Qin
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Abstract
Insulation cable produced by crosslinked polyethylene (XLPE) are widely used. Addition of fillers into polymer has improved the properties of insulation cable. This study was aimed to optimize the properties of mineral fillers filled crosslinked polyethylene composite for insulation material. The effect of mica and kaolin fillers on tensile, electrical and thermal properties were investigated by varying the concentration of the fillers. The raw materials were analyzed to study the chemical composition, particle size and particle shape of the fillers. XLPE polymer and mineral filler were mixed using internal mixer to produce homogeneous distribution of filler in the matrix. Then it was pressed into film at 150ºC and the samples were cut into specific dimension for testing. Tensile properties such as tensile strength, elongation at break and Young’s modulus were determined for different samples prepared at different filler volume fraction. Dielectric breakdown, flammability test and thermogravimetric analysis were carried out. The results showed that the addition of mica and kaolin filler to XLPE leads to 112 % and 237 % increase in Young’s modulus if compared to XLPE polymer. Both fillers also showed increased in dielectric breakdown voltage and thermal stability. For flammability, incorporation of mica slow down the burning however addition of kaolin filler did not improved the flammability property. In conclusion, it is found that mica filler produces better properties than kaolin filler. Filler loading at 15 vol % showed better properties than other loading of filler.