Evaluation of the influence of nano fillers on the electrical and dielectric properties of epoxy resin

Nano fillers have been found in recent years in several areas of technology and can cause electrical, mechanical and chemical improvements. In this study, host material, namely bisphenol-A epoxy resin as indoor application, and related micro filler are the same for all produced samples. Al₂O₃ has been considered as nano fillers. Nano fillers were mixed with the host material using ultrasound device and high speed mixer simultaneously. An even distribution of the nano fillers was validated by means of transmission electron microcopy. The investigations were carried out under homogeneous (plane-plane) and inhomogeneous (rod-plane) electric field configuration. The influences of the amount of the nano fillers up to 10% part by weight (pbw) and the temperature from 23°C to 180°C on the partial discharge (PD) inception voltage and breakdown voltage of the specimens are investigated.