Review of high thermal conductivity polymer dielectrics for electrical insulation

• Published in: High voltage Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 34 - 42
• Main Authors: Xiao, Meng, Du, Bo Xue
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: The Institution of Engineering and Technology 01.04.2016; Wiley
• Subjects: composite insulating materials; conducting polymers; dielectric materials; dielectric polymer composites; electric properties; electrical devices; electrical equipment; electrical insulation material; electrical properties; equipment size reduction; failure analysis; filled polymers; high thermal conductivity polymer dielectrics; inorganic thermally conductive particles; intrinsic thermal conductive polymer; particle-filled thermal conductive composites; polyethylene composites; polyimide composites; Review Articles; service life extension; surface treatment; thermal accumulation; thermal breakdown phenomenon; thermal conductivity; thermal insulating materials; thermal insulation; thermal properties; thermally conductive epoxy; tracking failure; polyimide composites; surface treatment; thermal insulation; electrical insulation material; dielectric materials; failure analysis; dielectric polymer composites; electrical devices; polyethylene composites; thermal properties; thermal breakdown phenomenon; high thermal conductivity polymer dielectrics; thermally conductive epoxy; electric properties; inorganic thermally conductive particles; conducting polymers; service life extension; electrical properties; intrinsic thermal conductive polymer; tracking failure; equipment size reduction; thermal insulating materials; particle-filled thermal conductive composites; composite insulating materials; filled polymers; electrical equipment; thermal conductivity; thermal accumulation
• ISSN: 2397-7264; 2397-7264
• DOI: 10.1049/hve.2016.0008

Traditional insulation material is thermally insulating and has a low thermal conductivity. The miniaturisation and higher power of electrical devices would generate lots of heat, which have created new challenges to safe and stable operation of the grid. The development of insulating materials with high thermal conductivity provides a new method to solve these problems. The improvement of thermal conductivity would increase the ability to conduct heat and greatly reduce the operating temperature of the electrical equipment, which could reduce the equipment size and extend service life. On the other hand, inorganic thermally conductive particles and the improved thermal conductivity may have great effect on thermal breakdown. In this study, the factors affecting the thermal conductivity of dielectric polymer composites were explored. Intrinsic thermal conductive polymer and particle-filled thermal conductive composites were discussed. Effect of thermal conductivity, shape, size, surface treatment of the particle and prepare process on thermal properties of the composites were illustrated. This study focused on the electrical and thermal properties of thermally conductive epoxy, polyimide and polyethylene composites. Tracking failure caused by thermal accumulation is a typical thermal breakdown phenomenon. The performance of the resistance to tracking failure was studied for these composites. The results showed that thermal conductive particles improved the resistance to tracking failure. Finally, application of thermally conductive epoxy in electrical equipment was discussed.