Nanocomposites and polyethylene blends: two potentially synergistic strategies for HVDC insulation materials with ultra-low electrical conductivity

Among the various requirements that high voltage direct current (HVDC) insulation materials need to satisfy, sufficiently low electrical conductivity is one of most important. The leading commercial HVDC material currently an exceptionally clean cross-linked low-density polyethylene (XLPE). Previous studies have reported DC-conductivity (LDPE) can be markedly reduced either by including a fraction high-density (HDPE) or adding small amount well dispersed, semiconducting nanofiller such as Al2O3 coated with silane. This study demonstrates combining these two strategies synergistic effect achieved, resulting in ultra-low conductivity. addition both HDPE and C8–Al2O3 nanoparticles LDPE resulted ultra-insulating nanocomposites around 500 times lower than neat at electric field 32 kV/mm 60–90 °C. new nanocomposite thus promising regarding it further optimized since blend improved independently.