Reaction rates of paper aged in natural ester dielectric fluid

The aging rate of fluid-impregnated Kraft insulation paper varies with the dielectric fluid composition. Reaction rates of thermally upgraded paper aged in natural ester fluid (vegetable oil) are compared to those in conventional mineral oil. Rates are determined using tensile strength and degree of polymerization measurements of sealed aging systems at 130, 150, and 170/spl deg/C. Rates obtained for mineral oil are compared to those found in previously published work. The aging rates obtained for natural ester are slower than those for mineral oil.