Analysis of deterioration in EPDM insulators placed in electric power transmission lines

L. M. SALVATIERRA; O. A. LAMBRI; O. HERRERO; C. L. MATTEO; P. A. SORICHETTI

Buenos Aires

Congreso; Seventh J. J. Giambiagi - Winter School - "New Trends in Complex Materials"; 2005

Departamento de Física - Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales - Universidad de Buenos Aires

Polymeric materials used as housing in electrical insulators exhibit low weight, good resistance to the vandalism and excellent electrical properties. However, leakage currents, corona effect, environmental contamination, rain and ultraviolet radiation, deteriorate the quality of the housing. The decrease in the quality of the polymer during the service is promoted by changes in its structure; leading sometimes to the electrical break-down. In the present work the properties of the structure in EPDM (ethylene - propylene - diene monomer) was studied, depending of the ageing state. In fact, samples of EPDM were obtained from insulators in the followings states: new, removed before failure and after failure. Dynamical mechanical analysis, hydrophobicity, dielectric strength, infrared absorption, differential thermal analysis and swelling test were employed as experimental techniques. In addition, results about accelerated ageing by means of neutron irradiation were also discussed.