Electrical insulators dielectric properties

Moisture and vapor penetration Condensation Electrical insulation Dielectric properties... 

Synthetic polymers are best known for their insulating dielectric properties which have been exploited for numerous applications in both the electrical and electronic industries. It was found recently that some polymers can also be rendered conductive by an appropriate treatment, thus opening the way to a new field of applications of these materials (2, 3). Usually, electrical conductivity is obtained by doping a neutral polymer, rich in unsaturation, with donor or acceptor molecules. These polymers are rather difficult to synthesize, which makes them very expensive besides they are often sensitive to environmental agents, like oxygen or humidity, thus restricting their practical use to oxygen-free systems. 

Epoxy resins are widely used as embedding compounds and insulators in electrotechnology, because they exhibit excellent mechanical properties as well as good electrical and dielectric properties combined with relatively high surface tension that may hinder wetting, but improves adhesion. 

Fuse, N. Tanaka,T. and Ohki, Y. Evaluation of dielectric properties in polypro-pylene/clay nanocomposites, 20r/9 Ann. Rep. IEEE Conf. Electr Insul. Dielectr. P/ienom., Virginia Beach, VA, 18-21 October 2009. 

Electrical Properties. Polytetrafluoroethylene is an excellent electrical insulator because of its mechanical strength and chemical and thermal stabihty as well as excellent electrical properties (Table 6). It does not absorb water and volume resistivity remains unchanged even after prolonged soaking. The dielectric constant remains constant at 2.1 for a temperature range of —40 to 250°C and a frequency range of 5 Hz to 10 GHz. 

Electrical Properties. Like unfluorinated siHcone counterparts, fluorosihcone elastomers have inherently good electrical insulating properties. The dielectric properties remain relatively unchanged when the elastomer is exposed to severe environments. 

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). 

Electrical Insulation. The substitution of a gas for part of a soHd polymer usuaUy results in large changes in the electrical properties of the resulting material. The dielectric constant, dissipation factor, and dielectric strength are aU generaUy lowered in amounts roughly proportional to the amount of gas in the foam. 

PPQs possess a stepladder stmcture that combines good thermal stabiUty, electrical insulation, and chemical resistance with good processing characteristics (81). These properties allow unique appHcations in the aerospace and electronics industries (82,83). PPQ can be made conductive by the use of an electrochemical oxidation method (84). The conductivities of these films vary from 10 to 10 S/cm depending on the dopant anions, thus finding appHcations in electronics industry. Similarly, some thermally stable PQs with low dielectric constants have been produced for microelectronic appHcations (85). Thin films of PQs have been used in nonlinear optical appHcations (86,87). 

Electrical Properties. AH polyolefins have low dielectric constants and can be used as insulators in particular, PMP has the lowest dielectric constant among all synthetic resins. As a result, PMP has excellent dielectric properties and alow dielectric loss factor, surpassing those of other polyolefin resins and polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon). These properties remain nearly constant over a wide temperature range. The dielectric characteristics of poly(vinylcyclohexane) are especially attractive its dielectric loss remains constant between —180 and 160°C, which makes it a prospective high frequency dielectric material of high thermal stabiUty. 

Electrical Properties. Polysulfones offer excellent electrical insulative capabiUties and other electrical properties as can be seen from the data in Table 7. The resins exhibit low dielectric constants and dissipation factors even in the GH2 (microwave) frequency range. This performance is retained over a wide temperature range and has permitted appHcations such as printed wiring board substrates, electronic connectors, lighting sockets, business machine components, and automotive fuse housings, to name a few. The desirable electrical properties along with the inherent flame retardancy of polysulfones make these polymers prime candidates in many high temperature electrical and electronic appHcations. 

The electrical-insulating and dielectric properties of the pure EPM/EPDM are excellent, but in compounds they are also strongly dependent on the proper choice of fillers. The electrical properties of vulcanizates are also good at high temperatures and after heat-aging. Because EPM/EPDM vulcanizates absorb Htde moisture, their good electrical properties suffer minimally when they are submerged in water. 

Because the polymer is polar it does not have electrical insulation properties comparable with polyethylene. Since the polar groups are found in a side chain these are not frozen in at the Tg and so the polymer has a rather high dielectric constant and power factor at temperatures well below the Tg (see also Chapter 6). This side chain, however, appears to become relatively immobile at about 20°C, giving a secondary transition point below which electrical insulation properties are significantly improved. The increase in ductility above 40°C has also been associated with this transition, often referred to as the 3-transition. 

Good electrical insulation properties with a high dielectric strength and good microwave transparency but with a low tracking resistance typical of aromatic polymers with a high C H ratio in the structure. 

Low density polyethylene (LDPE). This is one of the most widely used plastics. It is characterised by a density in the range 918-935 kg/m and is very tough and flexible. Its major application is in packaging him although its outstanding dielectric properties means it is also widely used as an electrical insulator. Other applications include domestic ware, tubing, squeeze bottles and cold water tanks. 

Electrical Properties Traditionally plastics have established themselves in applications which require electrical insulation. PlFt and polyethylene are among the best insulating materials available. The material properties which are particularly relevant to electrical insulation are dielectric strength, resistance and tracking. 

The moisture content of a plastic affects such conditions as electrical insulation resistance, dielectric losses, mechanical properties, dimensions, and appearances. The effect on the properties due to moisture content depends largely on the type of exposure (by immersion in water or by exposure to high humidity), the shape of the product, and the inherent behavior properties of the plastic material. The ultimate proof for tolerance of moisture in a product has to be a product test under extreme conditions of usage in which critical dimensions and needed properties are verified. Plastics with very low water-moisture absorption rates tend to have better dimensional stability. 

Fluorinated poly(arylene edier)s are of special interest because of their low surface energy, remarkably low water absorption, and low dielectric constants. The bulk—CF3 group also serves to increase the free volume of the polymer, thereby improving various properties of polymers, including gas permeabilities and electrical insulating properties. The 6F group in the polymer backbone enhances polymer solubility (commonly referred to as the fluorine effect ) without forfeiture of die thermal stability. It also increases die glass transition temperature with concomitant decrease of crystallinity. 

Another example is the influence of the electrical resistance of PVC cable insulation. This is caused not by the organic pigment itself but by ethoxylated surfactants, which are added as auxiliaries in the manufacture of these pigments, especially azo pigments. Contrary to a repeatedly expressed view, a possible electrolyte content, which laked azo pigments for example can have, has no effect on the dielectric properties of PVC [34]. Some pigment manufacturers offer special product ranges with verified dielectric properties for this purpose. 

The combination of thermal stability and dielectric performance makes PEN an attractive electrical insulator in electrical motors. Motors with high operating temperatures, such as hermetically sealed refrigerator motors and business machines, need films that are resistant to shrinking and retain nonconducting properties at high temperatures. 

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