Epoxy micro-nano composites are well-known to exhibit enhanced electrical, mechanical as well as thermal properties compared to base epoxy resin. Yet, a clear understanding need to be achieved on the long-term aging performance of the epoxy micro-nano composites. The present review article is a comprehensive study on the impact of gamma irradiation and water aging on the space charge characteristics of epoxy micro-nano composites that are applicable as insulant in high-voltage power apparatus. Ion-trapping nanoparticles, which possess good oxidation resistance and high ion trapping ability, are being chosen as nanofillers along with silica micro fillers in epoxy micro-nano composite material for improving the reliability of electrical insulation structures. The epoxy micro-nano composite specimens were subjected to gamma irradiation (4 kGy and 8 kGy) and water aging (under room temperature and at 90 °C), to analyze the effect of aging on space charge accumulation and charge decay characteristics. The mean magnitude of accumulated space charge density of epoxy micro-nano composites tends to increase with an increase in gamma irradiation dose as well as an increment in water diffusion coefficient. The mean lifetime of the space charge decay during depoling has significantly reduced after gamma irradiation and is converse with water aged specimen. Voltage polarity reversal studies have indicated that a part of homo-charge injected from electrodes remained as hetero-charge just after polarity reversal and could result in the distortion of electric field thereby increasing the electric field enhancement factor.
Keywords: epoxy; gamma irradiation; ion-trapping nano particle; micro-nano composites; silica; space charge; water aging.