New progress of studies on thermogravimetric point slope (TPS) method

This paper describes the new results of investigations on a rapid thermal endurance test method for insulating materials-TPS. (1) The functional exposure test in the TPS may be performed by means of the changing temperature technique. To do so may save both testing time and costs, and raise the reliability of the TPS method. Hence, it would be of important significance. (2) The equation of calculating Ep in the TPS has excellent repeatability, which is one of the main advantages of TPS, and not so called insensitivity. (3) TG tests play an auxiliary role in TPS, this is decided by the principle of the conventional aging method, and should be reasonable and beneficial to the accuracy of TPS. (4) Since there is a statistical linear relation between E and f for a category of insulating materials, as well as the verification results of many new and old materials, this has confirmed that the accuracy of the TPS as against conventional aging is satisfactory. The TPS method may be used to evaluate thermal endurance for new insulating materials