Nanostructured dielectric composite materials
AssigneeRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
InventorsJohn Keith Nelson, Walter Zenger, Robert John Keefe, Linda Sue Schadler Feist
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Abstract
A nanocomposite material suitable for electrical insulation includes a polymer compounded with a substantially homogeneously distributed functionalized nanoparticle filler. The nanocomposite material is produced by compounding the polymer with the functionalized nanoparticle filler by imparting a shear force to a mixture of the polymer and filler capable of preventing agglomeration of the filler whereby the filler is substantially homogeneously distributed in the nanocomposite material. The electrical insulation may be adapted for AC or DC high voltage, and may also be adapted for low or medium voltage to prevent formation of water tree structures.
Claims16
A nanocomposite material adapted for electrical insulation comprising a polymer having compounded therein a substantially homogeneously distributed functionalized dielectric nanoparticle filler, wherein the polymer comprises at least one of a rubber, a thermoplastic polymer, or a thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the polymer comprises at least one of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) rubber, ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), polyethylene, a co-polymer of ethylene with at least one C3 to C20 alpha-olefin, or a co-polymer of ethylene with at least one C3 to C20 polyene, and wherein the nanoparticle filler is at least one of a metal boride, a metal nitride, carbon nano-fiber whiskers, ceramic nano-fiber whiskers or mixtures thereof.
A process for producing a nanocomposite material suitable for a power cable electrical insulation article comprising:
- providing a functionalized dielectric nanoparticle filler wherein the nanoparticle filler is at least one of a metal boride, a metal carbonate, a metal hydroxide, a metal nitride, carbon nano-fiber whiskers, ceramic nano-fiber whiskers, or mixtures thereof;
- drying the functionalized dielectric nanoparticle filler;
- compounding a polymer with the dried functionalized dielectric nanoparticle filler by imparting a shear force capable of preventing agglomeration of the nanoparticle filler, whereby the nanoparticle filler is substantially homogeneously distributed in the nanocomposite material;
- pelletizing the compounded nanocomposite material;
- and,
- contacting the pelletized nanocomposite material with a crosslinking agent, wherein the crosslinking agent coated pelletized material is capable of melting and forming the insulation article.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.