Surface resistance of epoxy-based composites to electrical discharge

In this work, differences in surface erosion conditions stemming from the use of different discharge contexts were illustrated. It was shown that the end results may affect easily the conclusions of a comparative study. Epoxy and its composites containing silica were used for the tests. Despite accepted variants in the material processibility and affected properties, in some conditions, it was concluded that epoxy composites containing nanosilica exhibited a superior surface resistance to erosion. Also, reducing the size of silica particles in the epoxy composite was found to result into less accumulated space charge as measured using the thermal step method.