EFFECTS OF PLASMA MODIFICATION OF NANOFILLERS ON INSULATION PROPERTIES OF EPOXY RESIN/SIO_2 NANOCOMPOSITES

摘要

Favourable insulation properties can be obtained by the incorporation of nanodimension particles into base polymer substances as the resultant large interface area between polymer molecules and nanoparticles altered the macro dielectric characteristics of the composite material. In this study, a preceding surface plasma treatment was carried out using atmospheric pressure glow discharge Helium plasma on SiO_2 nanoparticles before the nanocomposite fabrication. The surface energy of the particles was increased, verified by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) after this modification. Epoxy resin/SiO_2 nanocomposites were fabricated by employing untreated and treated nanoparticles. Insulation performances of the nanocomposites were evaluated in terms of the resistance against partial discharge and the breakdown strength. Test results showed a lower partial discharge level as well as higher inception and dielectric breakdown of nanocomposites over the pure epoxy resin. A comb-like spectrum was observed in the partial discharge level trend of nanocomposites. The test sample fabricated with plasma treated nanoparticles had a higher partial discharge density but the durability was noticeably improved.