Interface Discharge Behaviour at Polypropylene Nanocomposites and Silicone Rubber under AC Voltage

Abstract

Abstract-Polypropylene has a great electrical property and may be used as primary insulating material in electrical power cable. In cable accessory, the field distribution is often distorted since the very complicated physical structure, which makes interface discharge between PP and cable joint insulation easy to happen. Polymer based nanocomposites has recently received a lot of attentions, which can offer a better insulation property than the neat polymer. In order to improve the electrical property of the PP/SiR interface, nano-sized MgO filler has been adding into PP matrix to form the socalled PP/MgO nanocomposites. The interface discharge behavior between the nanocomposites and the SiR have been studied. Obtained results showed that with the increase in the nano-particle content from 0 wt% to 5 wt%, the interface breakdown strength firstly increases but then decreases. A proper content of 3 wt% nano-sized MgO adding can improve the interface breakdown strength by a fact of 3.5. It is suggested that the interface breakdown strength can be enhanced through the adding of nano-sized MgO.