Effects of atmospheric pressure on tracking failure of gamma-ray irradiated polymer insulating materials

Abstract

With the increasing application of electric and electronic devices in space and nuclear power stations, the polymer insulation materials are inevitably exposed to various kinds of environments. As technology advances, increasing demands on the reliable operation under various operating and environmental conditions are made on materials and components. Therefore, it is important to investigate the influence of radiation on polymeric insulating materials used under the combined environments. This paper describes the effects of atmospheric pressure and gammaray irradiation on tracking failure of polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) by applying a DC pulse voltage. PBN, PET and PBT were irradiated in air up to 100 kGy and then up to 1000 kGy with a dose rate of 10 kGy/h by using a 60 Co gamma-source. The effects of total dose of irradiation and atmospheric pressure on the time to tracking failure and discharge quantity were discussed. Obtained results show that, with increasing the total dose, the time to tracking failure increased with PBN and PET, but decreased with PBT. With decreasing the atmospheric pressure, the time to tracking failure increased with PBN, PET and PBT. While increasing the total dose, the discharge quantity decreased with PBN and PET, but increased with PBT. With decreasing the atmospheric pressure, the discharge quantity increased with PBN and PET, but decreased with PBT. The experimental results suggest that the chemical structure of the polymeric insulating materials plays a main role in the result of radiation reaction, which is related to cross-linking and degradation reaction.

Corona Discharge Characteristics under Variable Frequency and Pressure Environments

“…This is of paramount importance because MEA and AEA make an increasing use of electric and electronic apparatus and devices, so polymer insulation materials are inevitably exposed to harsh and varying environments. Thus, care must be taken in selecting appropriate insulating materials since reliability is an issue [ 21 ]. Before electric breakdown occurrence, partial discharges (PDs) appear, PDs being discharges that do not entirely channel the insulation between two electrodes [ 22 ].…”

Dielectric investigation of high density polyethylene loaded by ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by sol–gel route

“…However, the dielectric strength value was decreased for NPs' concentrations higher than 3 wt% due to the probable increase in agglomeration regions of the nanofiller. The dielectric constant of the investigated nanocomposites was exhibited significant dependence on filler concentration, throughout the frequency range from 10 reduction of e 0 was obtained with introduction of ZnO NPs into the investigated HDPE composites. So, the studied ZnO/HDPE nanocomposites will be qualified to use as high voltage insulation cable with low earth fault current.…”

“…Several types of insulating polymers are used to fabricate polymer nanodielectric composites depending on their reliability, availability, ease of fabrication and low cost [10]. Among these, polyethylene is one of the preferred insulating polymers as cable insulating in high voltage as a result of their electrical and mechanical properties [11].…”

Arc Tracking Control in Insulation Systems for Aeronautic Applications: Challenges, Opportunities, and Research Needs

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