Degradation of High Voltage Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Matrix Composites by Aggressive Environmental Conditions

Polymer matrix composites reinforced with either E glass or ECR glass fibers-reinforced are used in a variety of high voltage electrical applications because of their advantages like lower weight and cost. However, they can be damaged by aggressive in-service conditions such as high temperature, ultraviolet radiation, moisture, ozone and corrosive environments. Different degradation mechanisms can develop in high voltage PMCs under those extreme environments, which, in turn, can affect the long term structural durability of the composites. A set of PMCs reinforced with ECR-glass and E-glass fibers embedded in four different resins has been investigated in this study. In addition, two PMC systems with surface coatings were also tested. The composites were supplied to the project by a US high voltage equipment manufacturer. The composites were subjected in four different tests to the individual and combined effects of UV radiation, elevated temperature, moisture, and nitric acid solutions. The surface degradation of the composites was subsequently analyzed using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) techniques are used to analyze chemical structure of the composites