Investigation on dielectric strength of alumina nanofiller with SiR/EPDM composites for HV insulator

It is believed, by the addition of nano-filler into the SiR/EPDM blends could further improve its electrical properties. In this paper, the dielectric strength of SiR/EPDM composite with Alumina nano-filler for outdoor AC high voltage insulator has been investigated. Thus, the specimen with different loading concentration of Alumina nano-filler (1 Vol%, 2 Vol%, 3 Vol%, 4 Vol% and 5 Vol%) has been prepared. Decumyl Peroxide (DCP) with 98% active as a vulcanize agent was used in this composition. The composition of SiR/EPDM with Alumina nano -filler was prepared in heated two rolls mixer, MDR machine and hot press machine. Then, the loading concentration of Alumina nano-filler dependence of dielectric strength was investigated according to the IEC 60243-1 standard. The dielectric properties of SiR/EPDM nano-composite were analysed based on a Weibull probability plot. The result showed that the SiR/EPDM composition with Al₂O₃ of 1 Vol% loading gives the highest dielectric strength of 35.28 kV/mm among others loading concentration. Hence, the presence of 1 Vol% of nano Alumina into SiR/EPDM composite significantly has improved the dielectric strength of SiR/EPDM polymer.