Investigating the Characteristics of Amino Silane Functionalized Alumina Nanoparticles Doped Epoxy Nanocomposite for High-Voltage Insulation

Gas Insulated Transmission Lines (GIL) and Gas Insulated Substations (GIS) are the technologies that utilize less space than conventional methods for the transmission of high power. This high power transmission necessitates electrical insulators (spacers) with high mechanical stability, dielectric properties and thermal conductivity. In this context, a number of novel materials and preparation methods are under research for developing a suitable material for the spacer. The present work aims to characterize epoxy alumina nanocomposites filled with surface-functionalized alumina nanoparticles. Alumina nanoparticles were functionalized using silane coupling agents; (3-Aminopropyl) triethoxy silane (APTES) and (3-Glycidyloxypropyl) trimethoxy silane (GPTMS); to analyze their effects on the performance of epoxy nanocomposites. The primary investigation shows that the nanocomposites filled with APTES treated alumina nanoparticles increase the volume resistivity, tensile strength, and thermal conductivity by 11%, 17% and 11%, respectively, as compared to unfilled epoxy. These results indicate that the epoxy nanocomposites filled with APTES treated alumina nanoparticles can be a promising substitute for epoxy spacer used in GIL and GIS.