Electrical properties insulating plastics

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 electrical properties of plastics vary from being excellent insulators to being quite conductive in different environments. Depending on the application, plastics may be formulated and processed to exhibit a single property or a designed combination of electrical, mechanical, chemical. 

A true material comparison is possible only when property values are determined by identical test methods under identical conditions (1). Generally speaking, physical and electrical properties of plastics and electrical insulating materials are affected by temperature and humidity. Plastic materials tested above room temperature will yield relatively higher impact strength and lower tensile strength and modulus. High humidity tends to alter the electrical property test results. Obviously, in order to make reliable comparisons of different materials and test results obtained by different laboratories, it is necessary to establish standard conditions of temperature and humidity. 

In the United States, ASTM Committee D 09, on Insulating Materials, and Committee D 20 on plastics, have the primary responsibility of issuing standards for the evaluation and specification of plastics. Pertinent ASTM test methods and specifications pertaining to the electrical properties of plastics are given in Table 1. 

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). 

Cables with multiple-layer sheathing have plastic-insulated cores. Solid PE or sintered PE is used as the plastic. Sintered PE is a foamed polyethylene material that has different electrical properties than solid PE. Under certain circumstances the core region is filled with a petrolatum material to give protection against... 

Finally mention may be made about the influence of humidity on the electrical insulating properties of plastics. Once again the polymers may be classified into two groups, those which do not absorb water and those which do. The nonabsorbent materials are little affected by humidity whereas the insulation characteristics of the absorbent materials deteriorate seriously. These latter materials are generally certain polar materials which all appear capable of forming some sort of bond, probably a hydrogen bond, with water. Three reasons may be given for the deleterious effects of the water. 

The early development of modern plastic materials (over a century) can be related to the electrical industry. The electronic and electrical industry continues to be not only one of the major areas for plastic applications, they are a necessity in many applications worldwide (2,190). The main reasons is that plastic designed products are generally basically inexpensive, easily shaped, fast production dielectric materials with variable but controllable electrical properties, and jn most cases the plastics are used because they are good insulators (Chapter 5, ELECTRICAL PROPERTY). 

In terms of environmental exposure, water and humidity must be carefully evaluated in electrical applications. In general, if a plastic absorbs a significant amount of water, the electrical resistivity drops. As examples this is the case for nylons and phenolic. Care must be used in selecting a dielectric to insure that the electrical properties such as the insulation resistance and dielectric strength, as well as other electrical properties are adequate under the conditions of field use, particularly if this involves exposure to high humidity conditions. Temperature also causes changes in most electrical products. 

A number of areas in which plastics are used in electrical and electronic design have been covered there are many more. Examples include fiber optics, computer hardware and software, radomes for radar transmitters, sound transmitters, and appliances. Reviewed were the basic use and behavior for plastics as an insulator or as a dielectric material and applying design parameters. The effect of field intensity, frequency, environmental effects, temperature, and time were reviewed as part of the design process. Several special applications for plastics based on intrinsic properties of plastics materials were also reviewed. 

Most polymers are very good electrical insulating materials because of their chemical composition, i.e., their electrical conductivity is exceptionally low. Because of this important property, many plastics are used to produce electrically nonconductive parts. However, the high surface resistance leads to an unwanted property the material is prone to electrostatic charge accumulation. To facilitate dissipation of the charge, antistatic agents are incorporated, which combine with atmospheric moisture on the plastic surface to form a conductive film. 

Many of the properties of urea plastics are similar to those of the phe nolics, but, unlike phenolics, the urea plastics are not dark and are characterized by pastel and translucent colors as well as slightly superior insulating electric properties. Urea is tetrafunctional. As shown in Figure 15.5, linear and cross-linked network products are readily produced. 

Plasticizers should be nontoxic, free from odors, and compatible with pigments and dyestuffs. In addition they should have good electrical properties, high insulation resistance, low dielectrical losses, and resistance to high temperatures. 

Polychloroethene (polyvinyl chloride), as usually prepared, is atactic and not very crystalline. It is relatively brittle and glassy. The properties of polyvinyl chloride can be improved by copolymerization, as with ethenyl ethanoate (vinyl acetate), which produces a softer polymer ( Vinylite ) with better molding properties. Polyvinyl chloride also can be plasticized by blending it with substances of low volatility such as tris-(2-methylphenyl) phosphate (tricresyl phosphate) and dibutyl benzene-1,2-dicarboxylate (dibutyl phthalate) which, when dissolved in the polymer, tend to break down its glasslike structure. Plasticized polyvinyl chloride is reasonably flexible and is widely used as electrical insulation, plastic sheeting, and so on. 

Saran (Dow polyvinylidene dichloride) is a tough, chemically resistant plastic available in a variety of forms that are useful in the laboratory. Saran pipe or tubing can easily be welded to itself or sealed to glass and is useful for handling corrosive solutions. Thin Saran film, available commercially as a packaging material, is useful for windows, support films, etc. Mylar (du Pont polyethylene terephthalate) film and other polyester films are also useful for these purposes. Mylar is chemically inert and has excellent electrical properties for electrical insulation and for use as a dielectric medium in capacitors. Much thinner than these are films that can be made in the laboratory by allowing a dilute ethylene dichloride solution of Formvar (polyvinyl acetal) to spread on a water surface and dry. 

Since the electroconductivity of pure water is by several orders of m itude hi er than those of polymers, even smaU amounts of moisture markedly reduce electrical insulation properties of foams. For this reason, measuren nt of dielectric properties is a precise, rapid and non-destructive method of monitoring the kinetics and level of moisture absorption. Thus, the establishment of correlations between dielectric properties and the hygroscopicity of plastic foams makes it possible to solve two practical problems how moisture affects dielectric properties and how to determine non-electrical properties by electrical measurements ... 

Fillers may decrease thermal conductivity. The best insulation properties of composites are obtained with hollow spherical particles as a filler. Conversely, metal powders and other thermally conductive materials substantially increase the dissipation of thermal energy. Volume resistivity, static dissipation and other electrical properties can be influenced by the choice of filler. Conductive fillers in powder or fiber form, metal coated plastics and metal coated ceramics will increase the conductivity. Many fillers increase the electric resistivity. These are used in electric cable insulations. Ionic conductivity can be modified by silica fillers. 

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