A Reactive Molecular Dynamics Study on Crosslinked Epoxy Resin Decomposition under High Electric Field and Thermal...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Electrical Engineering

Background:

• Partial discharge in epoxy insulation leads to degradation.
• Understanding the microscopic mechanisms is crucial for material longevity.

Purpose of the Study:

• Investigate the synergetic thermal-electrical degradation mechanism in epoxy insulation.
• Elucidate the role of active species from partial discharges.

Main Methods:

• Reactive molecular dynamics simulations with bond-boost acceleration.
• Modeling epoxy polymers with 93% crosslink degree.
• Incorporating active molecular species like nitric acid and ozone.

Main Results:

• Nitric acid and ozone decrease epoxy decomposition temperature (1050 K to 940 K and 820 K, respectively).
• Active species oxidize epoxy molecular chains, increasing decomposition products.
• Electric field alone does not accelerate thermal degradation without active species.

Conclusions:

• Nitric acid and ozone are key drivers of synergetic thermal-electrical degradation.
• Oxidative damage and localized heating by active species accelerate epoxy decomposition.
• Mitigating active species is vital for enhancing epoxy insulation durability.