Chemical and physical changes observed in poly(oxy-1,4 phenylsulfonyl-1,4 phenylene) following electrical stressing

High voltage insulation failure can arise because of the physical and chemical properties of the material and intrinsic changes through use, aging and weathering. Overall aging is believed to produce localised defects and structural points which eventually fail under electrical stressing. This paper will present FT-IR and AFM evidence to show some of the chemical and physical changes in the insulating polymer, poly(oxy-1,4 phenylsulfonyl-1,4 phenylene) (PES) when subjected to short duration high voltage electric discharge activity in the air above the surface of the polymer film.