Nanostructured dielectric composite materials
AssigneeRensselaer Polytechnic Institute
InventorsJohn Keith Nelson, Walter Zenger, Robert John Keefe, Linda Sue Schadler Feist
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims14
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 silica, titania, kaolin clay, or magnesium oxide;
- 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;
- melting the pelletized nanocomposite material;
- and,
- forming the insulation article.
A method to make a nanocomposite material for an electrical insulation article comprising:
- drying a functionalized dielectric silica nanoparticle filler;
- compounding by mixing the silica nanoparticle filler with low density polyethylene pellets at a shear rate capable of preventing agglomeration of the silica nanoparticle filler to form a substantially homogeneous, uniform nanocomposite material dispersion;
- pelletizing the compounded nanocomposite material;
- contacting the nanocomposite pellets with a cross-linking agent or mixing a cross-linking agent in a melt of the pelletized nanocomposite material;
- forming the insulation article;
- and,
- cross-linking the insulation article to form silica nanoparticle filled cross-linked polyethylene.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.