Properties and Simulating Research of Epoxy Resin/Micron-SiC/Nano-SiO₂ Composite

Abstract

The dielectric behavior of insulations is a key factor affecting the development of anti-corona materials for generators. Epoxy resin (EP), as the matrix, is blended with inorganic fillers of micron SiC and nano SiO2 to investigate the effect of micro and nano doping on the conductivity and breakdown mechanism of the composites. Using experimental and simulation analysis, it is found that the effect of nano-SiO2 doping concentration on the conductivity is related to the dispersion of SiC particles. The lower concentration of SiO2 could decrease the conductivity of the composites. The conductivity increases with raising the nano-SiO2 doping concentration to a critical value. Meanwhile, the breakdown field strength of the composites decreases with the rising content of SiC in constant SiO2 and increases with more SiO2 when mixed with invariable SiC. When an equivalent electric field is applied to the samples, the electric field at the interface of micron particles is much stronger than the average field of the dielectric, close to the critical electric field of the tunneling effect. The density of the homopolar space charge bound to the surface of the stator bar elevates as the concentration of filled nanoparticles increases, by which a more effective Coulomb potential shield can be built to inhibit the further injection of carriers from the electrode to the interior of the anti-corona layer, thus reducing the space charge accumulation in the anti-corona layer as well as increasing the breakdown field strength of the dielectric.

Keywords

• micro-nano composite materials
• nonlinear conductivity
• dielectric properties
• composite structural model