Electrical and flammability properties of alumina trihydrate filled polypropylene/ethylene propylene diene monomer composites as insulators in cable applications

• Published in: Polymer engineering and science Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 493 - 498
• Main Authors: Farzad, Reza Hashemi, Hassan, A., Piah, M.A.M., Jawaid, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, NJ Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2014; Wiley; Society of Plastics Engineers, Inc
• Subjects: Alumina hydrate; Aluminum oxide; Applied sciences; Cables; Composites; Compounding ingredients; Dienes; Electric properties; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Ethylene; Exact sciences and technology; Fireproof agents; Flammability; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Heat resistance; Insulation; Insulators; Materials; Materials research; Monomers; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymeric composites; Polymers; Polypropylene; Polypropylenes; Properties; Scanning electron microscopy; Technology of polymers; Thermal properties; Thermoelectricity; Tracking; Aluminium hydroxide; Electrical properties; Double screw extruder; Propylene polymer; Flame retardant; Experimental study; Composite material; Thermal properties; Additive; EPDM rubber; Electric insulating material; Morphology; Concentration effect; Flammability; Electric resistivity; Extrusion; Olefin polymer
• ISSN: 0032-3888; 1548-2634
• DOI: 10.1002/pen.23473

Polymeric insulators role in power systems and insulation is one of the most important subjects in high voltage applications. This study investigates the effect of alumina trihydrate (ATH) loading on electrical and flammability properties of polypropylene (PP)/ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) blend. ATH fillers were incorporated into the matrix to improve the tracking and flammability resistance of the composites. PP/EPDM (60:40) was used as matrix and compounding of ATH filled PP/EPDM composites was done using a twin‐screw extruder. Electrical and flammability tests of composites were performed. The results show that flammability decreased with increasing ATH loading in PP/EPDM composites. The effects of electrical stresses are investigated by measuring the carbon tracking (CT) and leakage current (LC) on the surface of composites. The CT and LC of PP/EPDM/ATH composites were found to decrease with increasing ATH content; however calculating the normalized degradation index (NDI) illustrated that all the sample were in accepted range. Field emission scanning electron microscope was used to relate the electrical properties with the morphological analysis, which showed that addition of ATH prevents the degradation of the matrix. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:493–498, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers