Thermal Aging Studies on Cellulose Insulation Paper of Power Transformer Using AFM

摘要

The life span of the transformer is mainly decided byits solid insulation, especially insulation paper (pressboard). In order to analyze the ageing mechanism of power transformer insulation paper, we use the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), which is one of the important instruments in nanometer area to observe the surface of thermal aging insulation paper. Through the comparison of some specimens' AFM figures, we discovered that the molecular arrangement of the initial cellulose paper is close and ordered, some of the hexagonal mesh structures of the D-glucopyranose units were broken down after a few weeks accelerated thermal aging. Then we analyzed the micro mechanism of the aging process and the influence to the insulation paper caused by thermal aging. Some methods to improve the dielectric properties of insulation paper are also included.