Experimental Characterization of Polymer Surfaces Subject to Corona Discharges in Controlled Atmospheres

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 11; no. 10; p. 1646
• Main Authors: Leon-Garzon, Andres R., Dotelli, Giovanni, Tommasini, Matteo, Bianchi, Claudia L., Pirola, Carlo, Villa, Andrea, Lucotti, Andrea, Sacchi, Benedetta, Barbieri, Luca
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 10.10.2019; MDPI
• Subjects: Atmospheres; Carbon; Controlled atmospheres; Discharge; Electrodes; Fluoropolymers; Gases; Low density polyethylenes; Morphology; Plasma; Polyethylene terephthalate; Polymers; Polymethyl methacrylate; Polypropylene; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrum analysis; United Kingdom > UK; United States > US
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym11101646

Polymeric dielectrics are employed extensively in the power transmission industry, thanks to their excellent properties; however, under normal operating conditions these materials tend to degrade and fail. In this study, samples of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polymethyl methacrylate, and polytetrafluorethylene were subjected to corona discharges under nitrogen and air atmospheres. The discharges introduced structural modifications over the polymer surface. From a chemical perspective, the alterations are analogous among the non-fluorinated polymers (i.e., polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)). A simulation of the corona discharge allowed the identification of highly reactive species in the proximity of the surface. The results are consistent with the degradation of insulating polymers in high-voltage applications due to internal partial discharges that ultimately lead to the breakdown of the material.