Breakdown and electrical aging tests on different nanocomposite materials

F. Guastavino, A. Dardano, S. Squarcia, P. Tiemblo, J. Guzmán, E. Benito, N. García.
IEEE Electrical Insulation Conference, EIC 2009, art. no. 5166403, pp. 529-533

This work presents the output of a short and medium term electrical characterisation performed on different nanocomposite materials obtained by the dispersion of inorganic nanoparticles into a matrix of Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). Two nanofillers were adopted: sepiolite and montmorillonite. Both nanofillers belong to the family of silicate clay minerals but have different aspect ratio. The nanocomposites have been prepared by melt dispersion of sepiolite, montmorillonite and a mixture (2.5/2.5 wt%) of both in LDPE. The outcome evidences that the dispersion of a mixture of nanoparticles having different geometry could be an interesting approach in order to enhance the electrical properties of polymeric insulation