Space Charge Formation in Epoxy Resin Including Various Nanofillers

Abstract

It has been widely anticipated that the combination of recent advances in nanocomposites technology with traditional and novel resin systems may create materials with enhanced electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. It has been recognised that charge dynamics under an electric field play an important role in determining the electrical performance of a material. In this research, the pulsed electroacoustic (PEA) technique has been used to measure space charge in epoxy anhydrite samples loaded with various nano-fillers. Space charge characteristics in both dried and wet samples have been measured at ~27 kV/mm. In addition to different charge dynamics, it has also been noticed that the electrical performance of nanocomposites has been affected in the presence of moisture. Further tests have been carried out at a lower field to reveal if different mechanisms take place.