Electrical insulation rigid

Electrical Properties. CeUular polymers have two important electrical appHcations (22). One takes advantage of the combination of inherent toughness and moisture resistance of polymers along with the decreased dielectric constant and dissipation factor of the foamed state to use ceUular polymers as electrical-wire insulation (97). The other combines the low dissipation factor and the rigidity of plastic foams in the constmction of radar domes. Polyurethane foams have been used as high voltage electrical insulation (213). 

General-Purpose Polystyrene. Polystyrene is a high molecular weight M = 2 — 3 x 10 ), crystal-clear thermoplastic that is hard, rigid, and free of odor and taste. Its ease of heat fabrication, thermal stabiUty, low specific gravity, and low cost result in mol dings, extmsions, and films of very low unit cost. In addition, PS materials have excellent thermal and electrical properties that make them useful as low cost insulating materials (see Insulation, ELECTRIC Insulation, thermal). 

For this reason tribasic lead sulphate, a good heat stabiliser which gives polymer compounds with better electrical insulation properties than lead carbonate, has increased in popularity in recent years at the expense of white lead. Its weight cost is somewhat higher than that of lead carbonate but less than most other stabilisers. This material is used widely in rigid compounds, in electrical insulation compounds and in general purpose formulations. 

As mentioned earlier, unmodified polystyrene first found application where rigidity and low cost were important prerequisites. Other useful properties were the transparency and high refractive index, freedom from taste, odour and toxicity, good electrical insulation characteristics, low water absorption and comparatively easy processability. Carefully designed and well-made articles from polystyrene were often found to be perfectly suitable for the end-use intended. On the other hand the extensive use of the polymers in badly designed and badly made products which broke only too easily caused a reaction away from the homopolymer. This resulted, first of all, in the development of the high-impact polystyrene and today this is more important than the unmodified polymer (60% of Western European market). 

Compared with aliphatic nylons it also shows greater rigidity and hardness, lower water absorption, low temperature coefficient of expansion, good resistance to heat and moisture, better electrical insulation properties, particularly under hot and damp condition, and of course transparency. 

The electrical insulation properties of the acetal resins may be described as good but not particularly outstanding. There are available alternative materials which are better insulators and are also less expensive. There are, however, applications where impact toughness and rigidity are required in addition to good electrical insulation characteristics, and in these instances acetal resins would be considered. Table 19.3 lists some of the more important electrical characteristics of Delrin acetal resin. Data for the trioxane-based copolymer resin (e.g. Celcon) are virtually identical. 

Plastic also refers to a material that has a physical characteristic such as plasticity and toughness. The general term commodity plastic, engineering plastic, advanced plastic, advanced reinforced plastic, or advanced plastic composite is used to indicate different performance materials. These terms and others will be reviewed latter in this chapter. Plastics are made into specialty products that have developed into major markets. An example is plastic foams that can provide flexibility to rigidity as well as other desired properties (heat and electrical insulation, toughness, filtration, etc.). 

In diamond, each carbon atom is sp3 hybridized and linked tetrahedrally to its four neighbors, with all electrons in C C cr-bonds (Fig. 14.30). Diamond is a rigid, transparent, electrically insulating solid. It is the hardest substance known and the best conductor ol heat, being about five times better than copper. These last two properties make it an ideal abrasive, because it can scratch all other substances, yet the heat generated by friction is quickly conducted away. 

Polyethylene. The most straightforward process for the production of polymers from ethylene is that of the direct polymerization of the olefin. The polymerization process usually requires pressures and temperatures of 15,000 to 30,000 pounds per square inch and 200° to 300° C., and may be effected in either gas or liquid phase reactions (9). The polymer of molecular weight above 20,000 is the white, translucent plastic, polyethylene, widely used in electrical insulation, packaging material for foods, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, liners for paper bags, etc. Articles molded from polyethylene are semirigid or rigid, depending on their thickness, but in thin films the material has excellent flexibility, even at relatively low temperatures. 

Polyquinolines are good electrical insulators as indicated by conductivity values in the order of 10 15 —10 12 S/cm (101). However, by virtue of their extended conjugation, doped, wholly aromatic polyquinolines offer potential for high conductivity. Rigid polyquinolines display highest values of conductivity, generally on the order of 8—11 S/cm. 

Normally one thinks of polymers and polymeric fibers as electrical insulators. However, there is some laboratory-scale work that has resulted in electrically conducting PBZT and PPTA fibers, which are based on rigid-rod polymers. The trick to impart conductivity is to mix metallophthalocyanine into the spinning dope (Wynne et al., 1985 Polls et al., 1989). However, the mechanical properties of these fibers deteriorate with increasing content of metallophthalocyanine. 

A plasticizer is a material that enhances the processibiIity or flexibility of the polymer with which it is mixed. The plasticizer may be a liquid or solid or another polymer. For example, rigid polyfvinyl chloride) is a hard solid material used to make credit cards, pipe, house siding, and other articles. Mixing with about 50-100 parts by weight of phthalate ester plasticizers converts the polymer into leathery products useful for the manufacture of upholstery, electrical insulation, and other items. Plasticizers in surface coatings enhance the flow and leveling properties of the material during application and reduce the brittleness of the dried film. 

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