Electrical treeing in pure LDPE and in three LDPE nanocomposites, filled with fibrous and laminar philosilicates, has been studied. The nanocomposites have been prepared by dispersing into the matrix 10% wt of nano fillers having different aspect ratio: sepiolite, montmorillonite and also sepiolite and montmorillonite together. Both considered nanofillers have been organically modified in order to obtain a homogeneous dispersion and to increase the chemical compatibility with the organic LDPE matrix so to enhance the interfacial interactions. Electrical tests have been performed applying sinusoidal voltage having a 50Hz frequency to a needle-plane electrode configuration in order to induce the formation of electrical treeing inside ad hoc specimens. The outcome evidences that the nanocomposites have a radically different performance in presence of electrical treeing.
An experimental study about electrical treeing inside LDPE nanocomposites
Guastavino, F.; Dardano, A.; Squarcia, S.; Tiemblo, P.; Guzmán, J.; García, N.
Proceeding of the 10th IEEE International Conference on Solid Dielectrics 2010, 10,1-4
