Thermal Degradation Kinetics of High Temperature Polymers for Aeronautic Cables Insulation

Abstract

The perspective of increasing on board power on aircrafts leads to reconsider cable technologies, among which insulation processing. In this work, the thermal stability of three materials, Polyimide, Polytetrafluoroethylene and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) is investigated. Based on a multi-step degradation model applied to thermogravimetric analysis curves, isothermal degradation curves are predicted. Outstanding thermal stability is anticipated for PFA on a chemical standpoint. With the advantage of being a extrusion-processable polymer, PFA constitutes therefore an excellent candidate for high performance cables with extruded insulation.

Recycling and the end of life assessment of fluoropolymers: recent developments, challenges and future trends

“…15 Isothermal mass loss kinetics of PFA obtained by simulation. 115 TGA displayed similar weight loss (ca. 60%) for the LR6316/ 15 and FR25/80 elastomers, whereas the FR17/75 elastomer exhibited approximately 70% weight loss in the initial step.…”

“…Employing a more fundamental approach via a multi-step degradation model, Teyssedre et al 115 compared the degradation of PTFE, polyimide (PI) and poly(TFE- co -perfluoroalkylvinyl ether) copolymer (PFA) for aeronautic cable insulation. PFA is a semicrystalline polymer with a typical crystallinity of 60%.…”

“…It was found that an nth-order, single-step autocatalytic reaction model best described the degradation of PTFE, while a consecutive three-step autocatalytic reaction model was more appropriate for the degradation of ETFE. Employing a more fundamental approach via a multi-step degradation model, Teyssedre et al 115 compared the degradation of PTFE, polyimide (PI) and poly(TFE-co-perfluoroalkylvinyl ether) copolymer (PFA) for aeronautic cable insulation. PFA is a semicrystalline polymer with a typical crystallinity of 60%.…”

Insulating materials for realising carbon neutrality: Opportunities, remaining issues and challenges

“…To solve surface charging issues and developing insulating material and insulation system for the power cables, cable connectors as well as electronic components used in the propulsion system of more‐electric aircraft are utterly important for developing the future hybrid‐electric aircraft to reduce carbon emission. Further, the evolution to onboard higher transmitted power impacts cable technologies [98]: future cables will probably import more from high power transmission technologies, with introducing multilayer extruded insulations instead of taped insulations, use of screened cables and moving to HVDC networks [99–102]. These evolutions go with a reconsideration of presently used insulations mostly made of PI and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials.…”