Investigation into the effect of space charges on the surface erosion of synthetic and natural organoclay nanofilled PP films

Literature indicates space charge formation in the polypropylene (PP) films when subjected to Partial Discharges (PD). The space charge thus formed also alters the PD characteristics in turn altering the PD resistance. The main focus of this work is to investigate the effect of space charge formed during the PD aging process on the main field with minimal space charge redistribution times. AC Ramp voltage that constantly increases with time at a rate of 667 V/s was applied across the samples for 20 second duration. PP films with natural organo clay nanofillers (0 (wt/v) % referred to as PP+N0% (base polymer) and 2 (wt/v) % referred to as PP+N2%), and synthetic organo clay nanofillers (2 (wt/v) % referred to as PP+S2%) were considered for experimentation. Results indicate that with the inclusion of the either natural or synthetic organo clay nanoparticles, with in the percolation threshold limit of nanofiller concentration, the final electric stress is reduced thus enhancing the resistance to surface PDs.