High temperature vulcanized ethylene propylene diene rubber nanocomposites as high voltage insulators: Dielectric breakdown measurements and evaluation

The use of porcelain and thermoplastic based materials as High voltage insulators has always been dominant in the industry. Several elastomers were also investigated, mainly Ethylene Propylene Rubber and Silicone rubbers were used as replacement of the traditional Porcelain high Voltage insulators. In this study we experiment with new elastomer, Ethylene propylene diene rubber (EPDM), that is capable of withstanding high voltage as well as being resistant to severe weathering conditions. In addition to having excellent mechanical properties that we discussed elsewhere. Detailed dielectric breakdown measurements were carried out for room temperature vulcanized and high temperature vulcanized samples. The effects of exposure to UV radiation on the dielectric breakdown strength was also studied. Different fillers were used to improve the dielectric breakdown strength of different polymer matrices. Both carbon black based fillers and inorganic fillers were experimented in order to reach optimum mix properties that provide the best dielectric breakdown strength. Resistance to thermal aging and UV radiation was also carried out on EPDM samples.