Improving usual and dielectric properties of ceramic high voltage insulators

Abstract

The optimization of the formulation (nature and content of chemical components) and the technical parameters of the shaping-up process of ceramic insulators (in replacement of those in glass) are the objectives of this study. The decontamination of SiO2 (solid-liquid extraction of Fe xOy) and the increase of both BaO and ZrO2 amounts (while Na2O is partially eliminated) and the firing temperature allowed a significant increase of all the phys-mechanical and insulating properties at the commercial frequency 50-60 Hz. Samples with 15 mm diameter and 2 mm thickness and others for mechanical properties were needed. The characterization concerned Ba-Zr(Al xSi1-x)O3 ceramic samples. By data computing of the test results, a new "computed" formulation (Ba-stabilized and Zr doped mullite) showed excellent phys-mechanical (density, viscosity, flexural and traction strengths) and insulating properties (transversal resistivity, dielectric strength).