The effect of thermal ageing on electrical and mechanical properties of thermoplastic nanocomposite insulation of power high-voltage cables

Abstract

This research explores the thermal ageing influence on the Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) dielectric properties, which is utilised as electrical insulation in high-voltage cables. An accelerated thermal ageing test was done at four temperature ranges ranging from 25 °C to 120 °C to define the degree of material deterioration under thermal ageing and to prevent its failure. LDPE composite samples were made by adding aluminium oxide (Al2O3) inorganic filler in two different grain sizes (nano and micro) with various concentrations. The effect of adding inorganic filler on the acceleration of the thermal ageing of the polymer was studied by heating the samples for different periods of time and measuring the dielectric strength of the samples. The obtained results show that thermal ageing considerably affects the electrical properties of the material. The LDPE/Al2O3 nanofiller sample has the highest dielectric strength value at different temperatures. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to investigate the thermal characteristics of materials. The mechanical characteristics of LDPE polymer are studied using tensile strength and elongation at break tests. References 27, table 4, figures 6.