Application of nonlinear methods in tracking failure test of silicone rubber nanocomposite

This paper investigates the effect of nano-scale Al₂O₃ on the tracking failure resistance of silicone rubber nanocomposites. The samples were prepared by filling nano-scale Al₂O₃ in silicone rubber with the weight ratios of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 3 wt%. AC voltage (0 kV-50 kV) was applied on a pair of needle-plate electrodes on the nanocomposites surface with insulation distance of 10 mm. The weight loss, erosion depth and discharge current were recorded. In order to distinguish the change of the resistance to tracking failure from the confusing discharge current, a recurrence plot (RP) analysis of discharge current has been made. The patterns of the tracking failure were analyzed with fractal dimension (FD) method to quantify the erosion degree. The results reveal that approximately 0.5 wt% of nano-scale Al₂O₃ filler could increase the resistance to tracking failure of silicone rubber/Al₂O₃ nanocomposite.