Pultruded thermoplastic composites for high voltage insulator applications

Composite rods pultruded from commingled yarns consisting of glass fibres and polypropylene, polyamide 12, polycarbonate, polyethylenterephthalate and polyetherimide are assessed for porosity, hydrothermal aging and thermal breakdown behaviour according to IEC 62217 and IEC TR 62039 standards. The results indicate that the quality of the glass fibres, the fibre-matrix interface and the thermomechanical properties of the polymer affect the electrical performance of the composite. Of the materials examined, the glass fibre-polyethylenterephthalate pultruded rods were the most promising in terms of overall performance by successfully passing all tests, however these results also vary with material supplier.