Research of nano WS2 filled composite used as field grading material

Nano size semiconducting particles are the most commonly used fillers in field grading material to homogenize the inner electric field distribution. In this work, commercially purchased WS
₂
and the exfoliated ones were used as filler into EPDM to fabricate WS
₂
/EPDM composites with different WS
₂
loading. Nonlinear electric conductivities were measured at 25 50 and 80 respectively. The influence of temperature on the conductivity was introduced to analysis the conductivity changes of the WS
₂
/EPDM composite at higher temperature. Direct current breakdown strength was also studied. Tests result shown that the properties of exfoliated WS
₂
filled composite had more regular change and the best performance. It turned out that uniform size and morphology of filler will be helpful for the properties of composite. The nonlinear conductivity performance created the possibility of using WS
₂
as nonlinear conductivity filler in field grading material.