Improving dielectric properties and suppression of partial discharges in fiber/thermoset-matrix composites by polymeric nanofibers

The polymeric nanofibrous layers as a new material for possible improving dielectric properties and suppression of partial discharges in fiber/thermoset-matrix composites are introduced in this paper. Electrospun nanofibers made from polybenzimidazole (PBI) and polyimide (PI) were incorporated into the structure of the commonly used fiber/thermoset-matrix composites to enhance their dielectric behavior. PBI and PI were electrospun using a Nanospider laboratory scale machine. The spinning process was set to produce nanofibrous layers with two different areal weights (1 and 3 g.m
^-2
for composites with PBI and 3 and 5 g.m
^-2
for composites with PI). Control composites without nanofibers as well as composites containing electrospun PBI and PI nanofibrous layers were manufactured by compression molding in a laboratory press without any previous vacuum debulking. To verify the positive or negative influence of the incorporated nanofibrous layers on the overall dielectric behavior of the composites, the volume resistivity p (Ω·m) and dielectric strength E
_d
(kV.mm
^-1
) were comprehensively measured. Initial results revealed that the volume resistivity of modified composites increased (of about 126 % for PBI and 217 % for PI) as well as the dielectric strength (of about 11 % for PBI and 53 % for PI). Obtained results were subsequently supported by partial discharge analysis which confirmed that the nanofibrous layers are capable to significantly suppress the partial discharge activity inside the composite structure.