Effect of Acetylated SEBS/PP for Potential HVAC Cable Insulation

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Polymer Science
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Polypropylene (PP) blended with SEBS shows promise for high voltage alternating current (HVAC) cable insulation.
• Electrical treeing in SEBS/PP limits its application in HVAC cables.
• Developing improved insulation materials is crucial for efficient power transmission.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of acetylated SEBS (Ac-SEBS) on the properties of polypropylene.
• To enhance the electrical tree resistance and AC breakdown strength of SEBS/PP blends.
• To evaluate Ac-SEBS/PP as a potential insulation material for HVAC cables.

Main Methods:

• Acetylation of SEBS to introduce acetophenone groups.
• Melt blending of PP with Ac-SEBS.
• Evaluation of mechanical properties, electrical tree resistance, AC breakdown strength, and dielectric spectrum.

Main Results:

• Ac-SEBS addition (30%) improved PP's mechanical toughness and SEBS/PP's electrical tree resistance and AC breakdown strength.
• Optimal acetylation level (4.6%) yielded a 9.2% increase in AC breakdown field strength compared to SEBS/PP.
• Ac-SEBS inhibited electrical tree growth via electron absorption and keto-enol isomerization.

Conclusions:

• Ac-SEBS/PP demonstrates enhanced mechanical and electrical properties, making it suitable for HVAC cable insulation.
• The material's dielectric loss factor is within industry standards.
• Ac-SEBS/PP offers potential for improving HVAC power transmission efficiency.