Dielectric and Mechanical Properties Evaluation of Polypropylene Containing Nitride-based Nanoparticles

Abstract

Polypropylene (PP) which is recyclable and easy to process, has the potential to be a promising alternative for conventional cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) for using in high voltage power cable insulation. This paper aims to determine the effects of different types of nitride-based nanoparticles on the dielectric and mechanical properties of PP. Thus, three nitridebased fillers, boron nitride, aluminium nitride and silicon nitride are selected. To evaluate the influence of different filler concentrations, PP nanocomposite systems containing 5 or 10 wt.% of nitride-based nanoparticles were prepared by a modified solution blending method. Meanwhile, 5 g of neat PP was made with the same procedure to be the reference system. For determining the most suitable fillers in terms of electromechanical properties, three experiments namely, AC breakdown, dielectric spectroscopy and tensile test were conducted. The results of these experiments indicate PP with 5 wt.% of boron nitride has the best performance on dielectric and mechanical properties among nanocomposites.

Effects of nanomagnesia and polypropylene-graft-maleic anhydride on the dielectric breakdown properties of polypropylene/ethylene propylene diene monomer blend

“…In some cases, MgO could detrimentally affected the DC breakdown strength of PP by 34% [27]. Similarly, PP when added with unmodified nitride-based nanoparticles, such as aluminum nitride (AlN) and silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ), showed a decline in AC electric field strength due to the change of the interfacial regions caused by nanofillers inclusions [28]. Elsewhere, the literature [29] showed that the dielectric properties of organoclay loaded in PP/ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) blend had a negative effect, owing to the disrupted interaction at the particle/polymer interface, thus resulting in the formation of weakpoints facilitating premature breakdown.…”

Dielectric Breakdown Strength of Polypropylene Blended with Ethylene Octene Elastomers

“…The development of new materials for cable insulation becomes important in view of the constraints imposed by XLPE. Due to their unique qualities in both high voltage alternating current (HVAC) and high voltage direct current (HVDC) systems, thermoplastic polymers like polypropylene (PP) have recently attracted research attention as potential insulators [2][3][4]. PP is being explored as a potential substitute for XLPE in future power cable insulation, due to its melting temperature of up to 170 °C and promising electrical properties such as excellent electric resistivity and low dielectric loss [5,6].…”