Simulation on the formation of microvaristor chains in liquid epoxy resin under electric field

The composite varistor of epoxy resin and microvaristor has the nonlinear voltage-current characteristics owing to the microvaristor chains which work as current paths. These chains are formed by applying an electric field during curing process, and it is important to form the chains homogeneously so as to get the stable quality. Forming the chains is affected by various factors such as length between electrodes, size of microvaristors, applied electric field and gravity. Therefore, the authors established a simulation method of the microvaristor movement in a liquid under electric field. The simulation results on the chain formation agreed well with the experimental results.