Surface Degradation Analysis on Epoxy Resin Polymer Insulation Materials with Bamboo Leaf Ash, Silane, Vinyl Silane Fillers for Electrical Insulators

Abstract

The porcelain, glass, and polymer materials are insulation materials that are frequently used in air insulation, which is operated at high voltage. Epoxy resin is one of the insulating polymer materials that is utilized since it is superior to that in many ways. However, this insulation material's surface degrades over time owing to external factors, leaving the insulation covered in grime and toxins. This research was conducted on resin epoxy by comparison of MPDA, DGEBA, and filler (bamboo leaf ash and silane) with a percentage value of 10%; 20%; 30%; 40% and 50%, sample size 120 x 50mm, vinyl silane is mixed as a coupling agent of composite materials. Vacuum method to left out void. Based on the IEC 587:1984 standard, the research was performed in the laboratory. Leakage
current waveforms, surface degradation driven on by erosion and tracking processes, and tracking duration were all examined in this study to determine their influence on the hydrophobic contact angle value and stoichiometry fluctuation. According to the study's findings, the epoxy resin
employed in this study can be classified as hydrophobic and somewhat wetted. Increased silane and bamboo leaf ash filler concentration increased contact angle, which increased surface insulation resistance, making it harder for leakage currents to pass through the surface of an insulating material and delaying aging or degradation. The filler concentration value that provided the best tracking and erosion performance was 40%.

Keywords: Angle of contact, Bamboo leaf ash, Epoxy resin, Hydrophobic, Insulators, Leaky current